La Devia at the San Carlo for la Festa della Musica!

 
I was there, I cannot believe I made it....
Being at the San Carlo was already something for me, but waiting for a concert where the only singer was Mariella Devia was even more moving. When I booked this event,  Ewa Podles and Alberto Zedda where on the programme, then they disappeared but luckily Mariella Devia withstood the changes.
Her selection of arias and the orchestral works were a real treat for an Italian survey of operatic works of art!
She  came with tears in her voice as Anna Bolena and left us as Maria Stuarda with    the Prayer she is the best to deliver at the moment. The female chorus from the San Carlo was also so much dedicated during this aria, with the whole orchestra and the delicate phrasing of the young Spanish conductor who  replaced A.Zedda,

The first violinist made me almost cry during his stunning interpretation of the three movements and coda of the introduction of act I, I Lombardi, an opera I still have to read and listen to thoroughly, and have not had the chance, so far,  to attend, in any opera house around me.
I had the feeling both orchestra and chorus were excellent at this pure Italian operatic scores, the sort of feeling that makes me travel to Italy because Italian singers and musicians know better... but I can fairly well admit I am biaised!
Still, when it comes to Mariella Devia and the Donizetti English Queens she is the best and always knows how to enhance her singing with her coloraturas. I can follow all the words she sings and react to all the feelings implied with so much economy of gestures because all is in her singing.
Indeed, I prefered the renditions of her Donizetti and Bellini arias to the Verdi ones.
She was in great form, perhaps a bit tired, coughing  and not staying long at the first applause. Then after the stunnung Maria's prayer she seemed to relax and stayed longer, beaming and waving to a cheering audience of international and Italian fans who took photos and shouted 'brava' with pleasure! then she sent a kiss, uttered a shy 'Ciao' waved good bye and left, always on the quiet and discreet mode,  I admire so much!
Then I joined the concert on the terrasse with a wonderful view on the bay at sunset... What an experience...21st of june to be remembered ...
Naples is fantastically chaotic and amazing...I  spent nearly a morning at Pio Monte della Misericordia to gaze at the last Caravaggio's painting.  I wish I could pop in now and again and just look at it and discover more and more....

The terrasse at sunset...  Ciao Mariella... see you in Marseille...marseille