|
Hi, Opera-Lovers: In the 11th edition of Festival Castell de Peralada (July-August 1997), operatic lovers have very exciting meetings: the Jaume Aragall recital (11th July), the cancelled (for wife desease) concert of Alfredo Kraus (26th July), and the futures recitals of Simon Estes (12th August) and finally, if God allows and the mezzo agrees, a lieder recital of great mezzo Teresa Berganza (16th August). There are 2 operas in this edition: Mozart´s Entführung aus dem Serail, and Wagner´s Der Flegende Holländer. The commentary above concerns Mozart superb singspiel in three acts: Die Entführung aus dem Serail , performed Friday and Sunday 1th and 3th August 1997, with an artistic and musical team as following. Role Spoken Actors Singers Selim Lluís Soler - Konstanze Rosa Renom Olga Makarina, soprano Blöndchen Lluïssa Castells Milagros Poblador, soprano Belmonte Pep Armengol Roberto Saccà, tenor Pedrillo David Bagés Emilio Sánchez, tenor Osmin J.M. Orfila Stefano Palatchi, bass Peralada festival Orchestra (Cadaqués Orchestra) Musical Direction: Gennady Rozhdestvensky Scenic Direction: Mario Gas Production from Festival Castell de Peralada, 1997. The inclusion of spoken dialogues in Catalan, with the Catalan translation of Joaquim Pena (Barcelona, 1928), helps the public to follow better the action. The singing parts were sung in German, of course. Mario Gas conceived a colourist, naïf scenography, with hommages to Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró, in the forms of the Selim palace, gardens... People enjoys a lot with this childish atmosphere, full of teatrical tension in the replacements between actors and singers, magistrally done, without breaking the musical and dramatical rythm. The singers who showned best capacities were Italian-German Tenor Roberto Saccà, with a pure singing line and elegance as Belmonte, including fortunately Ich baue ganz , aria often omitted. Great sense of interpretation and technical security in upper register were the musical weapons of young Spanish soprano Milagros Poblador, who sings habitually Queen of the Night, Violetta, Lisa in La Sonnambula..... The agility and vocal beauty were higher in her than in Russian soprano Olga Makarina, Konstanze, who sang with musicality, although her singing hadn´t the powerfulness we´re fond of hearing in sopranos who has been very associated to this mervellous role. Pedrillo was strictly correct in the voice of Sánchez, who had several difficulties in some numbers and Palatchi was a correct Osmin, although the rich and deep low notes had dissapeared if some time he had. Rozhdestvensky conducted with elegance, supporting the singers, but he hasn´t reached the light of Mozart Entführung asks. The volume were low and some musical details were lost, although the general level was notable. Briefly, a very interesting performance, with an splendid visual luxury in the scenic aspects, and a more than correct singing atraction. Always in the beautiful and charming entouring of Peralada´s Casttle (20 kms to French Border, and 10 kms from Figueras, Roses....) music and voice walk together. My comments about Wagner opera and Berganza recital will be in rec.music.opera soon. Josep
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
