Nice Video

Check out the following video from the Liceu touting their 2010/2011 season.

http://www.youtube.com/user/LiceuOperaBarcelona

Advance SEASON 2010-2011

OPERA

Iphigenie auf Tauris (opera and dance) by Christoph Willibuld Gluck Pina Bausch company 4, 5, 6 and 7 September 2010 Carmen by Georges Bizet 27 and 30 September 2010 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9,11, 13, 15, 16 and 17 October 2010 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 30 July 2011. Lulu by Alban Berg 3, 7, 10, 13 and 16 November 2010 Into the Little Hill (Sala Foyer) by George Benjamin 2 and 3 December 2010 Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23, 27 and 29 December 2010 Anna Bolena by Gaetano Donizetti 20, 25 and 30 January 2011 4, 9, 14, 18, 23 and 27 February 2011 5 March 2011 Parsifal by Richard Wagner 20, 24, 25 and 28 February 2011 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12 March de 2011 Cavallería rusticana by Pietro Mascagni Pagliacci by Ruggiero Leoncavallo 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 and 20 April 2011

El retablo de Maese Pedro by Manuel de Falla 16 and 17 April 2011  Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 29 and 30 May 2011 Ariane et Barbe-Bleue by Paul Dukas 18, 21, 26 and 29 June 2011 3, 5, 7 and 8 July 2011 LByron Un estiu sense estiu by Agustí Charles 25, 27 and 28 June 2011 Tamerlano (concert version) by Georg Friedrich Händel 6 and 9 July 2011 Daphne (concert version) by Richard Strauss 10 and 12 July 2011 Così FUN tutte (Teatre Lliure) Adapted from the opera Così fan tutte by Mozart 1, 2 and 3 October 2010

 

 

 

NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS

From 31 May to 29 June.

 

TICKET SALES

From 12 July.

 

Next Gig

Check the Dates

 

Two performances of Tosca (26 & 28 October) in Zurich have been added to Cura's calendar

Dates for Fanciulla del west in Zurich have changed (now 14, 17, 20, 24 November and 9 December)
 

Dates for Manon Lescaut in Vienna are 27 & 20 November and 2 & 5 December
 

Art by Denise

New Article

 

 Versatility Is the Unrecognized Power of the Tenor

Widmar Puhl

20 March 2009

Last May, Achim Thorwald, the director of the Badische Staatstheater, Karlsruhe, announced a closer cooperation with the Argentine tenor, José Cura.  So far, Cura has sung the lead role in a gala performance of the opera "Andrea Chenier" by Umberto Giordano which was conducted, just like Cura’s 'Carmen' Gala last year, by Jacques Delacôte.  At the end, the audience stood to give the entire company an ovation, but primarily for Cura.  And rightly so -- and not just because there is currently no one else who can sing Andre Chénier, one of the monster roles in the repertoire for tenors.

His first complete (studio) opera recording was "Samson et Dalila" with Olga Borodina ten years ago.  In autumn 2010, José Cura will bring this opera by Camille Saint-Saens to the Karlsruhe stage when he designs the set, directs and also sings the lead in its premier.  Is this (workload) professional?

Cura: I think the term "professional" is somewhat more modest than the word "artist". I say this with all due respect, because it is not a stigma, not an original sin to be a professional. It is a humble recognition of the limitation to the boundaries that life shows us: up to a point I can do something and try to master it. This is very good, no more and no less. An artist, on the other hand, ultimately risks more. Only such people make a difference.

José Cura was born in 1962 in Argentina and grew up in a Mediterranean environment: his father was of Lebanese descent, his mother half Italian, half Spanish. He did not, however, get on his neighbor’s nerves as an early bathroom Caruso but instead went to the school of arts at the state university in his hometown of Rosario. That is, he went to drama school, took intensive guitar lessons and studied voice not at all. Such versatility, however, caused some critics to be suspicious. 

Cura: Malicious tongues say that I conduct because I can no longer win bouquets as a tenor. But I do different things because they interest me. I'm curious. Also, my career has reversed course. I started as a choir director. By training, I am a conductor and composer. I also directed smaller pieces. I only started to sing much later.

At 23, José Cura was at the Art School of the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. And after several years in the opera chorus, he wanted more. In 1991 he moved with his family to Europe - first to Verona, then Paris and finally Madrid. He gave concerts, experimented, and made his debut on quite a few stages.

As Otello, Don Jose in "Carmen" or Samson, the warrior of love in chains, he is in his element. These are roles that show the man as macho, jealous for no reason or justification, depending only on his hormones and caught in the contradictions of strong feelings.

His voice has gained in volume over the years, yet he also manages expression of strength with quiet tones. Beautiful examples can be found on the CD "Anhelo" - yearning - from the year 1998:  here he sings the pure songs of Argentinian composers, many based on texts by Pablo Neruda. In addition there are samples of the composer José Cura.

The Met in New York, the Vienna State Opera, La Scala, London, Paris, Zurich, Berlin, Stuttgart: suddenly everyone wanted him and he could not say no. He travelled the world, and sang - even in roles that he now rejects. He almost lost himself in the hype, Cura says self-critically.

Cura: That is probably exactly what happened to Rolando [Villazón]. Thank God he has recovered and is back again. And that's good, because he has a great talent and a very beautiful voice. 

In 2000, when he separated from his record company, José Cura put his career/company in the hands of his wife and spent time reflecting on his versatility. At the same time, he became choosier [about career choices] and abandoned compromises. He spent time as principal guest conductor of the Sinfonia Varsovia, began giving master classes, continued with his photography, made books and established his own CD label.

Some artists, says Cura, are like crystal vases: radiant, transparent and fragile.

Cura: Others, like me, are more like vessels made of wood. We are stronger and can endure more. The same thing happened to me as to Roland, but I have broader shoulders. I am physically stronger and apparently vocally resistant. I've been through this ordeal by fire. I survived to talk about it and now I am where I am, fortunately.

For José Cura, opera is not only a musical discipline but also an intellectual challenge, drama and sports. Accordingly, he moves on stage.  He has said that he loves the sweating, the excess, the dramatic living characters, the naked motions without the safety net.

The sensory contact with the audience is his drug, something that simply cannot be downloaded. Therefore, he questions stereotypes, changes perspectives, always tries something new.

Cura: The people expect or at least hope for it. The artist should set the standards. Otherwise, we could then continue as we did 150 years ago: not good, not bad, but just like 150 years ago. Creating new standards is part of our job.

 

Concerts

Cura Returns to Moscow!

14 March

In today's musical world there are names that need no introduction. The outstanding master of the operatic stage, "Tenor of the XXI century", the star of the Metropolitan Opera House, Covent Garden, Vienna State Opera ... All these words are true but do not quite sum up the true scope of the talented José Cura - Argentine singer, composer and conductor, best in the last decade as Cavaradossi , Radames, Canio and Otello. His voice is forever imprinted in the memory and his presence on stage breathes new life into time-worn roles. This tope event of the season will be the only concert by the star in Moscow. For guests of the House of Music "the voice of the century" will present a program Caballero de la Opera. 
 

Ticket orders by phone:  +7 (495) 933-3200.
 

Website

South Korea Concert

 

The only Asian concert in 2010!

 

Goyang, South Korea

Gala Concert

4 May 2010  Gala Concert, Aram Concert Hall, Goyang, South Korea.

Tickets now available!

 Ticketing

• By phone

Box office : 1577-7766
Opening hours : 09:00 ~ 20:00
 

• In person

The box office on the 1st floor of Aram Opera House, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center is open daily From 9 a.m to 9 p.m.

Czech Rep Concert Update

 

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

International Music Festival 

16 July through 21 August 2010

According to the official website, only 6 of 1578 tickets remain available via the internet.  If you are interested, please plan to make your purchase soon!

Note that this is an outdoor concert, held in the Brewery Garden.

Český Krumlov is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle. Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was given this status along with the historic Prague castle district.

WEBSITE

Stiffelio

@ the Met