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Ovations for the Argentinian
Rachmaninov, lyricism and energy
15 December 2005
Cura, crisp on the podium for the pianist virtuoso Albanese
(excepts)
A work of vertical art, with drops of precious stones symbolizing notes on the staff and in a setting representing a scene from the river Po—this was the ‘City of Piacenza-Guiseppi Verdi’ prize, designed by Guilio Manfredi and presented in the Municipal Theater by mayor Robert Reggi to tenor and conductor José Cura. The mayor, opening the evening by presenting Cura with the prize in recognition of the Argentine’s numerous artistic talents, may also have dropped a hint of a scoop: the possibility of a future collaboration with the artist, though no name, date, or place of the production was offered.
L'orchestra della Fondazione Arturo Toscanini was conducted by Cura, employing the sort of “stage skill” that is perhaps more consistent (but this is a matter of personal taste) with his profession as singer rather than conductor, with such enjoyable extroversion that he earned ovations from the Piacenza audience.
Concerning the Rachmaninov piano concert….from this point of view, the determination and “hot blood” of José Cura were appropriate for the original spirit of the score.
Great energy was also present during the second half of the evening for the Sinfonia n. 2 in E minor op. 27 by the same composer. Thanks to José Cura, the audience was able to experience sparkling conducting and the stage presence of a real and proper “personality.” The singer can boast, however, of a remarkable curriculum as a conductor, including a stint as principal guest conductor of the Sinfonia Varsovia and the release of several disks on the Cuibar Video Phono and Avie labels. In Piacenza, where the maestro and pianist granted two encores, he received yet another confirmation (of his talent on the podium).
*
I Vespri siciliani
Giuseppi Verdi
Mantova Teatro Sociale
ORCHESTRA E CORO DELLA FONDAZIONE ARTURO TOSCANINI
Direttore: José Cura
Mantova-Teatro Sociale Mantova: I Vespri siciliani
Alessandro Cammarano
excerpts - translated by Dana
“I vespri siciliani” in Teatro Sociale Mantova was from all points of view a good performance during the season of “tradition”, organized and held by Toscanini Foundation, as was already suggested in Piacenza last year.
More than positive was also the musical success that evening.
José Cura, this time in the role of conductor, commanded the orchestra with discreet confidence, demonstrating his understanding of the elegance of the score. He didn’t give in to the temptation to exaggerate, even during those moments of extreme “popular” flavor. Tempi were appropriate and the piani of the orchestra substantionally well calibrated. His gestures, rigid and absolutely without refinement, proved nevertheless very effective. The excellent orchestra and choir of Toscanini Foundation responded well and the relationship between the pit and the stage turned out well balanced.
Teatro Sociale di Mantova
I Vespri Siciliani
Giuseppe Verdi
Mercoledì 21 dicembre, ore 20.30
Venerdì 23 dicembre, ore 20.30
Lunedì 26 dicembre, ore 16.00
Maestro Concertatore e direttore: José Cura
Regia: Pier Luigi Pizzi
with Carlo Kang, Cesare Lana, Lorenzo Muzz, Renzo Zulian, Orlin Anastassov, Katia Pellegrino, Tiziana Carraro, Giorgio Trucco, Cristiano Olivieri, Luca Casalin
Last Updated: Sunday, April 02, 2006
© Copyright: Kira
