Budapest Opera Ball gets a facelift for 2010

Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Viennese waltzes, the clink of champagne glasses, ball gowns and white tie – this year’s Budapest Opera Ball will include all the traditional features, but with a number of tweaks. The high point of the social calendar once again takes place at the Hungarian State Opera House, with the star guest this year the world-renowned opera singer José Cura.

Charity at the Opera Ball

Once again, the Budapest Opera Ball is putting the emphasis on charity in 2010. A children's day will be held under the auspices of the Budapest Opera House the day after the Opera Ball so that hundreds of disadvantaged children can also enjoy Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel in the magnificent scenario of the Opera Ball.

Previous to the Opera Ball 1000 portions of meal will be served to the homeless; free chest X-ray as well as an aid centre were set up in Blaha Lujza Square in association with the Hungarian Maltese Relief Organisation. In this way the Budapest Opera Ball seeks to help and lighten the lives of those in need.

Posted Feb 2010

The Gift: José Cura Helps Colombian Children in Need!

posted Dec 2009

José Cura has shown the way to celebrate the Christmas season is with gifts from the heart. Cura, singer, composer, conductor, and director, has donated 2000 compact disks to support the work of NGO Padrinos Asturian, a charity group whose primary purpose is the sponsorship of underprivileged children and their full integration into society. The organization is headquartered in Oviedo and has branches in Colombia and the United States.

Cura acted in response to a request for help from the organization's founder, 84-year old Father Joseph Perez, who is spending his 'retirement' years bringing compassion and dedication to the barrios of Cali, and the organization's president, Santiago Silva. The men met with Cura in his dressing room following the concert of the famous tenor and mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca in the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo on 24 June 2009. Some time later, the organization received a moving letter from the tenor pledging support; the 2000 CDs reflect that commitment.

The CDs have special meaning to Cura, since the album, Aurora, was produced in dedication to the land of his birth, Argentina. The album includes arias by Bellini, Verdi, Meyerbeer, Boito, Ponchielli, Mascagni and Giordano, along with the Song to the Flag and Intermezzo Epic from the Hector Panizza's opera that gives title to the disc; the works allow the intensity of Cura's voice and personality to shine, as well as providing evidence of his conducting skill in leading the Sinfonia Varsovia.

The organization is studying ways to market the CDs but anyone who is interested in purchasing copy is invited to contact Padrinos Asturian directly at their blog. (http://elblogdepadrinosasturianos.blogspot.com).

The entire Cuibar staff were involved in working with the foundation to make the donation happen. For their efforts, we can only join with the Padrinos Asturians is saying ¡Bravo, maestro! ¡Bravo, señor Cura! Y reiterar nuestra gratitud a nuestro admirado don José, amigo ya para siempre.

From Father Joseph Perez

Yo no quiero morir sin haber hecho

algún favor, alguna cosa buena,

que a la hora de morir llene mi pecho

me dé valor y muera yo sin pena.

Yo quiero recordar al despedirme

que ante la adversidad fui siempre firme

que di comida a quien estaba hambriento

que de beber también le di al sediento

que enseñé a trabajar y que fui honrado

que al desvalido dediqué mi vida

que amé y sufrí, y que también fui amado.

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Climate Countdown

José Cura joins the "TCK-TCK-TCK: Time for Climate Justice" campaign, an initiative of the Global Humanitarian Forum.

Read more at the Official José Cura website; watch the video; join the effort.

Read the story on José Cura's website.

Watch the video (and get a preview of director / set designer Cura's plans for his upcoming Samson!) by clicking HERE! or HERE!

Join the effort by visiting the Time for Climate Justice website by clicking HERE!

José Cura's supporting statement for the Campaign for Climate Justice:

"Animals, with a wisdom that goes beyond the glories of any technical achievement that humans could ever vindicate, don’t do anything that would jeopardize their future species. Why is it then that we, animals above all animals – I am not very sure if this is a compliment – don’t see beyond our noses and are pathetically insisting on distracting international attention with the narcotizing smoke of episodic nuisances instead of putting our hands to work – for real, no more time for comedies, please – in those problems that may well end by being, very soon, very unsolvable? Let us keep running to catch up with the so worrying financial bubonic plague of nowadays, so far so good , but let us not forget that it may well be useless to fix the banking misadventures of the planet if we don’t have a planet anymore. Oh, sorry, I forgot, this may not happen in a long time, right? So f*** our grandsons! After all, we may well never meet them…"

José Cura is a prominent operatic tenor from Argentina known for his intense and original interpretations of his characters, notably Verdi’s Otello and Saint-Saëns’ Samson, as well as for his unconventional and innovative concert performances. He has received numerous prizes and international awards for his performances. (posted 6 Dec 09)

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Every Year It Comes Again....

Nachrichten

Every year comes the Christ – and “Christmas in Vienna.” This year it will be on 20 December at 1930 in the Vienna Konzerhaus (22 hours on ORF 2).

Karel Mark Chichon, the husband of Elina Garanca, will conduct the Radio Symphony Orchestra, the soloists, Bernarda Fink, star tenor Jose Cura, Tamar Iveri and Boaz Daniel - and, of course, the Vienna Boys' Choir.

For Bernarda Fink, born in Argentina with Slovenian roots, this will be her the first appearance on "Christmas in Vienna". For José Cura it is for the second time: "We have never sung together - she thinks. But what we have. I was in the choir, she was a soloist. That was about 25 years ago but it does not mean that we are so old but only that we started very early."

"At Christmas,“ said Bernarda Fink, who lives in Vienna, “In Argentina is it around 35 degrees. On Christmas Eve, my parents shut the doors and windows to escape the noise from outside. Then we sang Christmas carols and prayed before the manger. Afterwards, we celebrated with the neighbors in their way.”

José Cura on his best Christmas present: "My wife. Her birthday is on 24 December and we have been together for 30 years. "

Ticket sales on 2 November. VIP tickets, which include an after-performance reception with the artists, are also available.

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Aún hay divos

Lne.es

3 July 2009

The extraordinary recital last week at the Campoamor Theater starring José Cura and Elina Carança and organized by Cajastur to benefit the Fundación Banco de Alimentos of Asturias had the virtue of reaffirming a few things that I cannot resist commenting on. First, to mention again the wise and generous social and cultural policy of the financial institutes of Asturias, who even in a time of crisis dares to offer a spectacular opera spectacle of the highest order…Second, I regret that not even the laudable use of the proceeds from the tickets moved more fans to attend a concert by two of the most acclaimed opera singers in the world. We know in theory…that the deeply rooted love of our people is not expressed with the same fervor in concerts and recitals as during the official opera season. The analysis for this would be, at least psychologically, a good topic for a doctoral thesis. The attendance at the theater when one of the best tenors of the last two decades, who has never before sung in Oviedo, and a mezzo-soprano of international renown makes me question how serious this alleged fondness for opera is. Third and last, I am greatly pleased to see that in these surprising times in opera, where continent seems more important than content, clothes more important than authenticity, and spectacle more important than purely musical elements, there are still musical artists who with just voice and art are able to thrill and inflame those who are fortunate enough to hear them.

Ultimately, I believe that as long as there are singers like José Cura and Elina Garança fans still have hope that things will return to normal and the current operatic ‘chaos’ will end. Divos are still there and they are the gravy of opera.

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José Cura concert in Pula has been cancelled

Croatian Times

José Cura’s two concerts scheduled to be held in Pula, Croatia on 5 July and in Ohrid, Macedonia on 12 July have been cancelled.

Cuibar Productions S.L., the Spanish company that represents Cura, made the announcement today (Fri), citing technical and production problems caused by an intermediary agency’s breach of contract.

Cuibar Productions claimed Cura, an operatic tenor, was not responsible for the cancellations.

Emanuele Destrini from Cuibar Productions marketing department said: "In these sad circumstances, Mr. Cura expresses his great respect and consideration for the audiences who would have been present at the two concerts and for the people of Croatia and Macedonia. We tried to solve the problem until the last minute and regret any inconvenience caused by a situation out of our control."

Cuibar Blurb:

** PRESS RELEASE **

CANCELLATION OF TWO EVENTS FROM JOSÉ CURA'S OFFICIAL CALENDAR.

We inform that José Cura's participation in the following concerts has been cancelled:

- Pula Arena Gala Concert, scheduled on the 5th of July 2009 due to technical and production problems caused by the breach of contract of the intermediary agency;

- Ohrid Colosseum Gala Concert, scheduled on the 12th of July 2009 due to the breach of contract of the intermediary agency.

We want to emphasize that the Artist, José Cura, is free of any responsibility and that he is truly affected by this event. In these sad circumstances, Mr. Cura expresses his great respect and consideration for the audience of these two concerts and for the people of Croatia and Macedonia.

We point out Cuibar Productions S.L.'s (Spanish company representing José Cura) continuous efforts to solve this problem until the last minute and we regret any inconvenience caused by a situation beyond our control.

dott. Emanuele Destrini (Mr.)
PR & Marketing Department
Cuibar Productions S.L.

José Cura Returns to the Met in 2009 / 2010 Season

José Cura returns to the Metropolitan Opera in season 2009/2010 in one of his most successful roles, Stiffelio!

In announcing the new season, James Levine said, “Many of the world’s greatest singers are featured in roles that they have not sung at the Met before [including] José Cura as Stiffelio.”

STIFFELIO

Composer                                  Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto                                      Francesco Maria Piave

Production                                 Giancarlo del Monaco
Set and Costume Designer          Michael Scott
Lighting Designer                        Gil Wechsler

Lina                                           Angela Marambio
Stiffelio                                       José Cura
Stankar                                      Andrzej Dobber
Jorg                                           Phillip Ens

Dates: January 11, 14, 19, 23, 26, 30 mat

As an extra nice bonus for all of us, the 30 January matinee will be the Metropolitan Opera of the Week, broadcast world-wide. How great is that?

Most romantic opera duets of 2008

Rupert Christiansen's pick of the duos who brought the most romance to the stage.

Telegraph

Rupert Christiensen

18 Dec 2008

1 Anna Netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann in Verdi's La Traviata at the Royal Opera House

2 Alice Coote and Danielle de Niese in Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea at Glyndebourne

3 Deborah Voigt and Robert Dean Smith in Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos at the Royal Opera House

4 Anna Christy and Barry Banks in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor at the London Coliseum

5 Sarah Connolly and Marie Arnet in Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi at Opera North

6 Rolando Villazon and Katie van Kooten in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann at the Royal Opera House

7 Peter Auty and Orla Boylan in Tchaikovsky's Iolanta at Opera Holland Park

8 Angelika Kirchschlager and Simon Keenlyside in Lehar's Die Lustige Witwe at the Barbican

9 Eva-Maria Westbroek and José Cura in Puccini's La Fanciulla del West at the Royal Opera House

10 Patricia Bardon and Christine Rice in Handel's Partenope at the London Coliseum

Listen to José Cura on Puccini

From the BBC 150th Birthday Tribute Radio Program

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Espontáneas: Photography by Jose Cura

is now available!

"I got my first photographic equipment in 1973: an old Kodak my mother had used to take family pictures and that I still have [...].

Having dedicated the majority of the last 20 years to being a professional musician has not taken away from the need to "seize the moment". Being a lonesome nomad - due to the nature of my work - has enhanced my capacity to observe; a funny irony for somebody who earns his living by being observed."

Espontáneas: Photography by José Cura. 160 p., 95 halftones. 12 x 8

Celebrated opera singer José Cura sings regularly on the world’s great stages, from the Met and the Lyric Opera to Covent Garden. But in addition to his prolific career as a tenor, conductor, composer, and mentor to young singers, Cura is also a gifted photographer. Espontáneas is the first book to present his captivating images to the public.

The more than ninety photographs featured here document Cura’s considerable travels around the world, as well as the people he encountered along the way. The countenances captured by his lens reflect the full gamut of the human condition: dignity, poverty, old age, and loneliness. Accompanied by descriptions written by Cura and other authors, this volume presents a panorama of faces seen through the eyes of an extraordinary talent.

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“Giù la maschera! Personaggi a nudo”

Dissertations by José Cura

Publisher Maria Pacini Fazzi

Author Serenella Gragnani

Photo by Luca Ramacciotti

At the Puccini Museum

When: Monday 6th October 2008

Where: Palazzo Ducale – Lucca (Italy, Tuscany)

“Giù la maschera! Personaggi a nudo”

Dissertations by José Cura

Publisher Maria Pacini Fazzi

Author Serenella Gragnani

With the participation of the author and Maestro José Cura, and with guest speaker Maestro Alberto Paloscia

The innovative particularity of this text consists in the comparison between psychology and stage art, with a psychologist and an interpreter/artist engaged in the research of the possible psychological motivations for the actions of characters as complex and at the same time as “real” as Dick Johnson, Mario Cavaradossi, Calaf, Don Carlo, Otello, Samson, Canio, to mention only some of them.

Thanks to the presence of Maestro Cura the debate between the invited speakers and the public will be particularly interesting and stimulating. The presentation will focus on the chapter of the book dedicated to the male Puccinian characters, revealing a generally neglected aspect of the great composer from Lucca: his capacity for in-depth analyse of the masculine psychology.

Giù la maschera! Personaggi a nudo

Book will be available after this date at www.serenellagragnani.it

In viaggio con i personaggi di José Cura

Cultura e Spettacolo : Libri

del 03/10/2008 di Silvia Cosentino

LUCCA – Lunedì prossimo (6 ottobre) alle ore 17, presso la Sala Ademollo di Palazzo Ducale, il grande artista argentino José Cura illustrerà il libro Giù la maschera! Personaggi a nudo, con dissertazioni di José Cura insieme all'autrice Serenella Gragnani. Inteso come diario di bordo di un percorso verso lo studio del personaggio, il volume è pubblicato da Maria Pacini Fazzi .

Grande appuntamento per gli appassionati della lirica e del teatro, il 6 ottobre a Palazzo Ducale. Oltre al cantante, attore, direttore d'orchestra, regista (e tanto altro ancora) José Cura e alla scrittice fiorentina, per l'occasione interverranno il direttore artistico del Teatro Goldoni di Livorno Alberto Paloscia e il presidente della Provincia Stefano Baccelli. L’eccezionalità della presenza del tenore a Lucca, oltre che per la presentazione del libro, è motivata anche dalla volontà di visitare la città natale di Giacomo Puccini; recente interprete di Edgar al Regio di Torino , Cura sarà uno dei protagonisti del concerto che si terrà il 22 dicembre all' Opera House di Londra: sarà nei panni di Calaf ( Turandot ) sotto la direzione di un altro illustre musicista lucchese, il Maestro Nicola Luisotti .

Lo stesso Cura spiega i motivi ispiratori del libro, nato a seguito di un'intervista da parte della psicologa Serenella Gragnani nel 2000; al confronto, che avrebbe dovuto trattare la questione dell’esperienza del cantante con gli uomini pucciniani, ne sono seguiti molto altri: “La summa di queste – spiega il cantante – è diventata quasi un’involontaria biografia, non nel senso anagrafico del termine, bensì la testimonianza d’una testarda ricerca delle pulsioni basiche dei personaggi, d’una imperativa necessità di capire la loro essenza psicologica per poterli ‘abitare e farmi abitare’ da loro”.

I personaggi maschili, tra cui quelli pucciniani cari all'arista argentino, vengono analizzati sia negli aspetti più evidenti sia in quelli più nascosti e contrastanti del loro carattere; in particolare, la successione delle riflessioni presenti in Giù la maschera! fa comprendere “quanto la cronologia degli incontri riveli un processo di crescita come uomo: dai colori intensi, quasi rabbiosi, di certe mie risposte nel primo capitolo alle parole altrettanto intense dello spicodramma di Otello”.

"Ci sono molte chiavi d’accesso per inoltrarsi nel mondo della lirica – commenta nella prefazione il presidente Baccelli -: la musica, la messa in scena, la qualità vocale degli interpreti, la scrittura drammatica dei libretti. Questo libro ne propone uno ancora diverso: un approccio che, partendo dal criterio interpretativo che il cantante ha scelto di adottare nel suo rapporto con alcuni dei più famosi personaggio maschili della lirica, indica i meccanismi psicologici profondi degli stessi. I loro sentimenti, le loro 'ragioni di esistere'".

Edito da Maria Pacini Fazzi , il volume è arricchito da un’appendice con le schede psicologiche dei ruoli analizzati, da Cavaradossi a Don Carlo, da Otello a Calaf, da Des Grieux a Dick Johnson, e impreziosito da affascinanti scatti e disegni.

JOSE CURA
Acclamato in tutto il mondo per le sue intense e originali interpretazioni di personaggi d'opera (in particolar modo Otello di Verdi e Samson di Saint-Saëns) così come per le sue performance concertistiche innovative e poco convenzionali, José Cura è il primo artista ad aver cantato e diretto contemporaneamente (tanto in concerto che in studio di registrazione) e il primo a combinare interpretazioni vocali e sinfoniche adottando una formula concertistica "metà e metà".

Nel febbraio del 2003 Cura ha scritto un passo fondamentale della storia operistica quando, dopo aver diretto Cavalleria rusticana , è salito sul palcoscenico a cantare il ruolo di Canio dei Pagliacci all'Opera di Amburgo. Attore convincente e interprete carismatico, è stato spesso protagonista di numerose trasmissioni televisive d'opera e di concerti in prestigiose sale di tutto il mondo.

Dotato di una ricca e brillante voce tenorile, nonché di una fascinosa e magnetica presenza scenica, ha catturato ed entusiasmato il pubblico fin dal suo debutto sulla scena musicale internazionale. Grazie alle sue intelligenti, perspicaci, a volte controverse, ma sempre indimenticabili interpretazioni, Cura è diventato ospite abituale dei principali teatri del mondo, tra essi ricordiamo il Metropolitan di New York, la Royal Opera , l'Opera di Vienna, il Gran Teatro Liceu di Barcellona, l'Opera di Zurigo e naturalmente il Teatro alla Scala e l'Arena di Verona.

Nel 2007, José Cura si è avvicinato alla regia presentando la prima mondiale di La commedia è finita , spettacolo di opera, prosa e danza di cui ha personalmente curato anche l'aspetto drammaturgico e scenografico. A seguito del grande successo ottenuto, ha continuato a dedicarsi alla direzione della messinscena presentando il verdiano Un ballo in maschera all'Opera di Colonia. Cura ha già in programma la regia di due suoi cavalli di battaglia: il Samson et Dalila previsto per il 2010 e il dittico Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci per il 2011.

La Commedia e Finita Website Now Online!

Click the photo to enter the world of La Commedia

posted 8 Jan 08

Orangenews!

#1 - 2008Information from Cuibar

In this issue

"La commedia è finita" is on-line

Next performances

Last news

Next performances

Le Cid
(role debut)
Opernhaus, Zürich
13, 17, 19, 22, 26, 29 January and 1, 3, 7, 9, February

Pagliacci
Staatsoper, Wien
17, 20, 23 February and 2 March

Gala concert
Is Sanat-Istanbul Hall, Istanbul
25 February

Pass it on!

If you know someone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please, forward it to him / her. Thank you very much for your help!

La commedia è finita is on-line!

After the great success of this summer, the site dedicated to the meta-show directed and starred by José Cura, is now on-line at lacommediaefinita.com.

Discover the characters, the dramaturgy, the secrets of this musical and theatrical event that has been highlighted as "a new way to read, understand and live the feelings of Leoncavallo's masterpiece, Pagliacci".

Special features:

Trailer of "La commedia è finita" in DVD quality [download]

Dramaturgic concept of the show

Video-explanation of the pantomime dramaturgy

Italian & English version of the fairy tale which rules the show

Latest News

"DAS OPERNGLAS" INTERVIEW - The prestigious German magazine opens the new year with a deep and clever talk to José Cura.

"Künstler ohne Kompromisse - Nach einer Phase der Rückbesinnung ist José Cura wieder voll da: Mit einem prall gefüllten Terminkalender,überraschenden Rollendebüts – und seiner ersten Regiearbeit mit »Un ballo in maschera« in Köln. […]"

→ go to "Das Opernglas" website

© 2008 Cuibar Productions S.L.

http://www.cuibar.com/newsletter/orangenews1.html

posted 8 Jan 08

Maestro Cura's Latest Gig

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New Honor

According to Mr. Cura's web site, he has a brand new honor to add to his already big stack of recognitions:

Socio Fundador Honorario
Awarded by the Associação Portuguesa contra a Leucemia (APCL)
for his contributions to the organization.

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San Diego Update

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OPERA RARA PRESENTS ITS FOURTH BEL

CANTO COMPETITION

On Friday 4 May 2007, Opera Rara will present the final round of the Opera Rara Patric Schmid Bel Canto Prize at the Royal Academy of Music.

The competition is dedicated to the memory of Opera Rara's founder and the prize’s creator, Patric Schmid, and is open to opera students at the college. Funded by the Peter Moores Foundation, the Prize was created to introduce students to the art of bel canto singing.

The chairman of this year’s judging panel is José Cura and the panel includes Patricia Bardon, Edward Gardner, Sir Peter Moores and Peter Katona. Past judges have included John Allison, Majella Cullagh, David Harper, Yvonne Kenny, Sir Charles Mackerras, Jennifer Larmore, Donald Maxwell, Sir Brian McMaster, Nelly Miricioiu, Patric Schmid and Dame Joan Sutherland.

Lucy Crowe was the first year's recipient and the runner-up was Rebecca Bottone, both of whom went on to record for Opera Rara. Other past winners are baritone, Seung-Wook Seong, and mezzo-soprano, Jurgita Adamonyte.

The prize money of £2,000 for the winner and £1,000 for the runner up is used to further the students’ performing skills and knowledge of the bel canto repertoire. Both winner and runner up also receive a coaching and advisory session from Opera Rara’s Artistic Adviser, David Parry.

The evening will be hosted by Paul Reeve, Director of Education at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and the entrants will perform arias and ensembles from the bel canto repertoire.

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND ENTRY IS FREE

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New Book on José Cura Focuses on Samson

Letters and Music

The musical artist José Cura will display his composer's side on 8 July in his home town of Rosario when, accompanied by pianist Eduardo Delgado, he premiers his cycle of songs based on the poems of Pablo Neruda.
On Saturday 30 June, Cura will be in Buenos Aires to sign copies of a new book, José Cura, The Titan of the Opera. Written by Cecilia Scalisi and Maximiliano Gregorio-Cernadas, the book focuses on Cura's interpretation of one of his best characters, Samson. The signing is at Bullrich Patio.

JOSÉ CURA – EL TITÁN DE LA LÍRICA –

en SAMSON et DALILA de Camille Saint-Saëns

by Cecilia Scalisi & Maximiliano Gregorio-Cernadas

Supporting Fundación Teatro Colón

Book in Spanish

Edited and printed in Argentina - First edition

Designed by: Estudio Icnitas

Catalogue: José Cura / Music/ Opera / History / Art

Format: 20 x 14 cm., 254 pages

ISBN 978-987-05-2883-8

Papercover: 350 g

Interior: Bookcel 80 g with pictures

Weight: 325 g

www.editorialmecenas.com.ar

ORDER Information:

Exemplar…………………………………25 Eur

+

Packing & Post (registered air mailing) …. 8 Eur

TOTAL - Price - …………………….… 33 Eur.

(final cost for each exemplar 33 Eur)

Send your Email to ceciliascalisi@hotmail.com with copy to editorial.mecenas@hotmail.com. Write the name and complete address where you want to receive the book. The author will provide instructions on how to make payment.

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José Cura returns to Rosario with Eduardo Delgado

María Josefina Bertossi

17 May 2007

Celebrating its Silver Anniversary, the Rosario chapter of the Mozarteum Argentino will pay homage to the city by presenting two of its sons, both international artists: Eduardo Delgado and José Cura. The concert was announced just minutes ago in a press conference at a central hotel. The recital will by on 8 July and will coincide with the the 191^st anniversary of our Independence.

Before noon in one of the rooms in a central international hotel, the President of the Rosario chapter of the Mozarteum Argentino, Dr Jaime Abut, and the managing director of the same organization, Mrs. Noemí Rossetti, announced the presence of these two musicians in performance on Sunday, 8 July.

Dr. Abut first clarified that the programming of the recital was due to the good offices of Mrs. Nora Nicotera, director of Radio Clásica Rosario, who at the end of 2006 began dialogues with both interpreters. “This is an extremely ambitious project whose success is due to her, not only in its initiative but also in her perseverance in never giving up, which is one of her virtues. As one who never surrenders, she is never conquered and that is one of the merits that allows her to continue with the radio in spite of their current difficulties.”

Dr Abu added that the Mozarteum (Rosario) does not plan to make money from the concert, as everything will be done for the city, for its art and its culture.

Program and World Premiere

The first part of the program will include chamber songs and works for the piano by Fauré, Respighi, Tolsti, and Chopin, as well as black spirituals. The second part will be dedicated to the music of Argentina with works of Guastavino, Walsh, Lopez Buchardo, Panizza and the world premiere of the cycle of sonnets of Pablo Neruda with music by José Cura.

Dr. Abut recalled that Cura “has not be presented in our city in eight years and we do not know when he will return because he is among the first of the international singers, so even to contact him is never easy. Each time we called he was in Shanghai, in London, in Paris, or in Rome. Therefore, this is an occasion to take advantage of.”

Finally Mrs. Noemí Rossetti stated that for subscribers “the period to buy tickets to reserve seats will be between 21 and 31 May, without exception, before the tickets are put on sale for the general public.”

José Cura will be interpreting Saint-Saëns' Samson and Delilah at Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and after his four performances, there will be only this exclusive recital in Rosario.

Formal Dinner

After the recital a formal supper will be served in tribute to the special artists, authorities, subscribers, guests and public; tickets may be acquired at the same ticket office.

Information about recital or supper in Theatre Foundation Astengo may be obtained from the ticket office of the Mozarteum, Mitre 754.

Ticket sales for subscribers will be between 21 and 31 May; tickets for non-subscribers will go on sale 4 June.

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'Cav and Pag,' 'Tannheuser' and Cura debut highlight San Diego Opera's 2008 season

By: PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer

San Diego Opera's 2008 season will feature a company premiere, a battle of two tenors, the return of two sure sellouts and the company director's all-time favorite opera.

At the opening of its season-closing production of "The Marriage of Figaro" on May 5, San Diego Opera general director Ian Campbell unveiled a 2008 season that includes its first-ever production of Donizetti's "Mary, Queen of Scots," a double-bill of "Cavelleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" (with two different tenors), Verdi's evergreen "Aida," the Zandra Rhodes-designed "The Pearl Fishers" and Campbell's personal favorite opera, Wagner's "Tannheuser."

Among the popular singers returning next season are tenors Richard Leech and soprano Angela Gilbert, along with the company debuts of world-famous Argentinian tenor Jose Cura, German heldentenor Robert Gambill and sopranos Indra Thomas, Camilla Nylund and Ekaterina Siurina.

Despite a budget that grows 6 percent to $18.1 million next season, the company is holding the line on ticket prices, with tickets starting at $28, two-opera subscriptions starting at $56, and a new Tuesday-night "super savings" program where subscribers can purchase five operas for the price of four (Tuesday five-opera subscription prices range from $110 to $640).

Season subscriptions are now on sale by calling (619) 533-7000.

Here's an overview of the company's 43rd season.

"Tannheuser" ---- Jan. 26-Feb. 3, 2008.

Wagner's tribute to love's redemptive power hasn't been performed in San Diego since 1969, so for most local operagoers it will be a company premiere. Campbell so adores the opera, he gets emotional when describing its miraculous finale and insisted on writing the production's supertitles himself to get the translation just right. The company's sets will re-create the Metropolitan Opera's epic production, which Campbell said he first saw in 1977 and were so beautiful that the audience gasped when they first saw them. German heldentenor Robert Gambill debuts as the medieval knight Tannheuser whose past liaison with the goddess of love, Venus (German mezzo-soprano Petra Lang in her company debut), earns him the pope's condemnation). Finnish soprano Camilla Nyland makes her U.S. debut here as Elisabeth, the woman who redeems Tannheuser with her love and sacrifice, and Canadian baritone Russell Braun will play Wolfram, the same role his late father, German baritone Victor Braun, was famous for. German maestro Christof Perick ("Fidelio" in 2003) will conduct and Germany's Michael Hampe directs.

Campbell started out as a tenor in his native Australia, and his love for "Tannheuser" began when he first sang in the opera at the Sydney Opera House in 1973. "I loved it then and I love it even more now," Campbell said. "There's something spiritual about it that reaches me. Its message is that you can connect with God and people can redeem you. I wanted to produce it for a long time, but I put it off until I found the right cast, which I believe I have."

"Mary, Queen of Scots" ---- Feb. 16-24.

Making its first-ever appearance in San Diego, Donizetti's bel canto "Maria Stuarda" musically tells the story of the 16th century battle for the English throne between Queen Elizabeth and Mary Stuart. South African soprano Angela Gilbert, star of last season's "Lucia," returns in her role debut as Mary, while American mezzo Kate Aldrich makes her company debut as Elizabeth. The two cousins never met in real life, but Donizetti's opera brings them together onstage. German bass Reinhard Hagen ("Lohengrin," "Fidelio") returns as Talbot, and Armenian tenor Yeghishe Manucharyan makes his local debut as the Earl of Leicester. The production will be conducted by Edoardo Muller and directed by Andrew Sinclair with sets from New York City Opera and costumes from Dallas Opera. Campbell said he chose "Mary, Queen of Scots" because he felt it would be a good vehicle to bring back the bubbly, energetic Gilbert, and he thinks the accessible, history-based story will be interesting to local audiences.

"Cavelleria rusticana" and "Pagliacci" ---- March 22 to April 2.

For the first time since 1979, the company presents the double bill known as "Cav and Pag." The two, dark one-act operas are the most famous of the late 19th-century verismo (realism) movement, where artistic works depicted gritty, dark and often violent scenes from real life. Popular American tenor Richard Leech returns for his first-ever Turridu, the doomed suitor in Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana," a spurned lovers drama set in a Sicilian village on Easter Sunday. And in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," Argentina's Jose Cura makes his company debut as Canio, the tragic clown who delivers one of opera's most famous arias ("vesti la giubba") before slaying his wife and fellow clown before a horrified audience. Both tenors are known for their sense of showmanship (and egos), so audiences should expect a vocal contest of epic proportions. Italian soprano Paoletto Marrocu (this season's "Il Trovatore") plays the love interest in both operas, and Irish baritone Bruno Caproni debuts with roles in both operas, which will be conducted by Muller and directed by Lotfi Mansouri. The company will create two sets for the production.

Cura, who has recorded "Pagliacci" for Decca, is a world-class star whose only past performances in the United States were at the Metropolitan Opera. Campbell describes him as "a charmer and a good committed actor with a voice that's baritonal with a burnished sound."

"Aida" ---- April 12-23.

A perennial best-seller, Verdi's masterpiece about forbidden love in ancient Egypt returns after a seven-year absence with San Diego Opera's glitzy, gold sets and costumes. American soprano Indra Thomas makes her company debut as the Ethiopian slave Aida. Uruguayan tenor Carlo Ventre (2005's "Simon Boccanegra") returns as Radames, the Egyptian general who chooses Aida over the hand of Egyptian princess Amneris, played by Romanian mezzo Mariana Pentcheva ("Don Carlo," "Norma"). Valery Ryvkin ("Die Fledermaus") returns to conduct and Garnett Bruce ("Vanessa," "Cold Sassy Tree") directs.

Campbell is most excited about the local debut of Thomas as Aida. "She's got a classy Verdi voice with the ability to refine it down for pianissimo."

"The Pearl Fishers" ----- May 3-11.

The company's production of this Bizet opera, with sets and costumes by British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, sold out every performance in 2004 and returns next year with an all-new cast, including Russian soprano Ekaterina Siurina and American tenor Charles Castronovo (spouses in real life) in their company debuts as the ancient Ceylonese love goddess Leila and her suitor, Nadir. Baritone Malcolm McKenzie (bullfighter Escamillo in 2005's "Carmen") returns as Zurga, Nadir's rival for Leila's affections. Andrew Sinclair directs and resident conductor Karen Keltner, a French opera specialist, conducts.

"It's the right mix of voices," Campbell said of the cast. "The music is such that people will love it." -- May 07

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Sentiments We Can Agree With . . . . . .
...The revival of Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier,” one of the more dignified of the great verismo favorites, features the estimable Ben Heppner, Violeta Urmana, and Mark Delavan in the leading roles. Yet Sharon Thomas’s lively staging of Nicolas Joël’s 1996 production is more notable for the solidity of the over-all contributions of its firmly professional cast, in addition to the fresh and attentive conducting of Marco Armiliato. It’s rewarding to see this star vehicle turned into an effective ensemble piece, but it may take the return of a typically sensual Chénier—José Cura? —to make this opera really sizzle again.

The New Yorker, April 07

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Our Special José Cura

Those of us who have followed Mr. Cura for even a short time know him to be a kind, considerate, and sweet man who often leaves his heart wide open.

This week, we got a special email from a brand new fan, Dominique Krol, who is a fifth grade student and a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus. She told us a wonderful story about how one of the great artists and one of the most in-demand musicians in the world stopped time for a while to become a friend.

And there is nothing more special than that.

So we decided to share Dominique's story about how a little girl at the start of her career and a man at the top of his came together in a special way.

Because it is with gestures this genuine and actions this spontaneous that Mr. Cura once more demonstrates we picked the right man when we started this web page.

Bravo, Mr. Cura!

Dear Kira,

Hi! My name is Dominique Krol and I am a member of the children's chorus at the Met. I too am a great fan of Mr. Cura. I met him last September when I preformed in Tosca with him. He was so super nice that I wanted to tell you about it.

I met Mr. Cura when I was leaving the MET after a Tosca performance. I held the door for a crowd of people (not knowing who anyone was) and he turned around to thank me. Someone asked if he recognized me from the show. He knelt on his knee to look at me and said "I am so sorry for not remembering you" and hugged me. He kissed my forehead and I must have blushed and then I gave him a kiss on his cheek. All this was going on while women were screaming his name.

I asked him if we could take a photo together in our costumes and he looked for me at the next performance.

After the big finale in Act 1 he came running on stage saying "Where is my little Dominique!" He picked me up in the air, and gave me a huge hug. He made me feel like a princess and very special.

I have attached the photo for you.

Mr. Cura is special and I hope to work with him again in the future. He is truly a caring person and I am happy you update everyone on his whereabouts and performances.

Love, Dominique

www.dominiquekrol.com

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Otello - DVD

The first of Verdi’s two late Shakespearian operas stands as one of the great masterpieces of grand opera. José Cura, ranked among the world’s leading interpreters of Verdi’s music, takes the title role in Willy Decker’s profound and intense production, recorded live at the Liceu, Barcelona in 2006 in true surround sound and filmed with high definition cameras.

José Cura, Krassimira Stoyanova, Lado Ataneli, Vittorio Grigolo
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu - Antoni Ros-Marbà

Stage Director Willy Decker

Plus
Introduction

Illustrated Synopsis & Cast Gallery

Reviews:
‘Verdi’s wise, passionate score was served with precision, gusto and a keen ear for drama by maestro Antoni Ros-Marbà and the solid, malleable Liceu orchestra.’ Opera News

‘José Cura has the vocal colouring, the power and strength, but above all the dramatic temperament that this colossal Verdi character demands.’ El Pais

‘…the Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova captivated with her sensational Desdemona. Hers is a lyrical voice of great beauty, with sufficient volume used with taste and transmitted with both sweetness and firmness.’ El Pais

CAT NO: OA 0963 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 151 Mins
SOUND: DTS SURROUND / LPCM STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN/FR/DE/ES/IT/CA
RELEASED: 01/01/2007
NO OF DISCS: 2

'Cura’s Otello is a performance that the Liceu audiences will remember for a long time: a profoundly felt, well considered depiction of a man’s descent into madness, paired with a true vocal tour de force. Cura’s ...technique and communicative powers are astounding.' Opera News

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Last Updated: Sunday, February 07, 2010

New Book on José Cura Focuses on Samson

	Letters and Music The musical artist José Cura will display his composer's side on 8 July in his home town of Rosario when, accompanied by pianist Eduardo Delgado, he premiers his cycle of songs based on the poems of Pablo Neruda. On Saturday 30 June, Cura will be in Buenos Aires to sign copies of a new book, José Cura, The Titan of the Opera. Written by Cecilia Scalisi and Maximiliano Gregorio-Cernadas, the book focuses on Cura's interpretation of one of his best characters, Samson. The signing is at Bullrich Patio.

José Cura concert in Pula has been cancelled

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Rupert Christiansen's pick of the duos who brought the most romance to the stage.

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