|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to José Cura!
On 8 April 2003, José Cura was in Barcelona to receive an award from the Liceo for best artist of the 2001/02 season. Cura's win for his phenomenal performance as Samson (Samson et Dalila) was even more impressive, given that he stepped into the role at the last minute to cover for an ill colleague and performed the role only once.
Joan Matabosch, artistic director of the Gran Teatro, presented José Cura the award in the Hall the Mirrors. Cura subsequently announced a new partnership with the theater which will bring him to its stage in 2005 (Il Corsaro), 2006 (Otello) and 2007 (Andrea Chénier). (added 16 April 2003)
José Cura is a hit at the 2003 Vienna Opernball
"The highlight of the opening was the 'Tritsch-Tratsch Polka' sung by the children of the opera-school's choir. After that, the official guest star of the evening, the tenor, composer and conductor José Cura dazzled with a brilliant rendition of the 'Canzion a la Bandera'." (AP Press Report, provided by Monica) (added 4 May 03)
José Cura announces plans to return to Teatro Real
During an interview with ABC, José Cura was asked about his rumored return to the Teatro Real in Madrid. The singer used metaphor to explain his relationship with the opera house: "A couple discuss, they fight, they grow together or they divorce. I have not divorced Teatro Real, in fact the opposite is true: Emilio Sagi is part of my circle of friends and has been witness to my professional growth. We have a history in common and he has demonstrated his confidence and support. We have already planned my return to Madrid for 2007. ...there is no animosity. I have wanted to return and it seems logical to me to perform in the theater of my city, the city where I have my home." (added 16 April 2003)
José Cura Uses Art to Heal
On October 25, 2002, a press-conference with world opera star José Cura was held in Moscow. "[J]ust before leaving for the Russian capital, he learned of the terrible events taking place in Moscow. The first reaction of his wife and children was to ask him not to go. But the musician said: "I must go." An artist, he said, "is somehow like a doctor, who cures people's souls." People particularly badly need a doctor when they feel miserable. "I shall be glad to give these two concerts in Moscow and am confident ... that people will get a charge of kindness and beauty from the music we have prepared for them," said José Cura. (Pravda,Oct 2002)
Lisbon Fundraiser
José Cura's concert in Lisbon on 8 October 2002 was a fund-raiser for the newly-created Portuguese Leukaemia Association. This is the first time acclaimed Argentine tenor José Cura performed in concert in Portugal, and he planned to sing well-known arias and conduct the orchestra. Other special guests included Portuguese blues guitarist and singer Rui Veloso, rock star Luís Represas, and Ala dos Namorados, featuring the amazing voice of Nuno Guerreiro. This was the charity's first such event; its aim is the setting up of a national register of bone marrow donors. (8 October 2002)
José Cura is composing again!
José Cura will be singing a brand new song when he performs in recital on 16 October. He set another Neruda poem to music (during his performing break in August) and the lucky Taiwanese will be the first to hear it.
'Cura will sing at a chamber recital this evening at the National Concert Hall in Taipei. The program will include a song he composed in August, using lyrics penned by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. This will be a premiere performance. Actually Cura intends to complete a cycle of sonnets on love and death and record them eventually.'
José Cura Voted a Best-Loved Stars
The FANS have spoken! The newest issue of Classic FM has the results of the fan poll which asked us which artist has made the biggest impact in our lives over the last ten years. Mr. Cura ranked ninth!
'The men and women who make the biggest impact are not always the ones who endear themselves most to the music-loving public. So below, we list the stars best-loved by you and voted for by you...'
These were:
1. Lesley Garrett
2. Andrea Bocelli
3. Cecilia Bartoli
4. Kiri te Kanawa
5. Russell Watson
6. Luciano Pavarotti
7. Nigel Kennedy
8. Andreas Scholl
9. Jose Cura (yeah!)
10. Simon Rattle
Padre Pio
José Cura sang in a very special performance at the Vatican on the eve of the canonization of Padre Pio (June 15, 2002), in the Piazza San Pietro. With soprano Paula Almenares and bass Victor Garcia, Mr. Cura performed a previously unknown musical work, Passione: Padre Pio, by the French composer, Patrik Pedrali. A CD (and video?) of the opera will be sold to benefit the "House of Joy," an establishment for abandoned infants that is being built in Rome next to the Santuario del Divino Amore. More details about the CD as we find out more. (added 23 June 2002)
José Cura Sings in Łódź
Originally published in Gazeta Wyborcza on May 14th, 2002.
Translated by Iwona Pomes
The details of his performance are already known.The concert's organizers call José Cura "a great performer and a handsome man." He will sing in Łódź on August 31st, on a special stage situated in a square in front of the Opera House. Admission will be free. This is not the first such concert in Łódź. Three years ago several thousand people came to see Andrea Bocelli during similar event.
On 13 May there was a special press conference during which the organizers revealed some details concerning this concert. This musical performance was initiated by Ewa Czeszejko-Sochacka's "Foundation for the Talent Promotion" in cooperation with the Opera House of the city of Łódź. They also organized Bocelli's concert in 1999. "I chose Łódź, because it's an extraordinary city," said Mrs. Czeszejko-Sochacka. "I experienced something wonderful during Andrea Bocelli's concert." A lot of people watched it on TV.
José Cura will sing some of the greatest hits of opera; the Argentinean will also conduct Sinfonia Varsovia and a choir. He will be accompanied by Georgina Tarasiuk, a 13 years old girl who won "A Chance for Success" TV contest. She recently recorded her first CD. The whole event will be televised live by Polish TV.
All income will be donated to orphanages in Łódź. (added 19 May 2002)
Once all the money for the Grand Christmas Aid Orchestra to support the sick children of Poland was collected, including that from José Cura's concert in Wroclaw, the event was declared a great success.José Cura Supports Children Charity
Maestro Cura and Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra performed in the Lord's Mother Queen of Poland church. Several thousand people came for the concert in front of the Warsaw Palace of Culture and Science. All profits were returned to the charity.
The revenues will be allocated for the equipment for operating theatres and children surgical departments. According to doctor Bohdan Maruszewski, the Grand Christmas Aid Orchestra adviser, every year 10 thousand children with various inborn defects are born. Doctor Maruszewski says that he is not even able to count how many children were saved thanks to the Grand Christmas Aid Orchestra.
Bravos all around to Maestro Cura and the Sinfonia Varsavia! (added 3 March)
Verdi: Gala -- Greatest Operatic
Arias from Giuseppe Verdi
In Sympathy