Starting from July with my Aix Festival operas: Alcina and A mid Summer night's dream, followed by two flights to Munich to catch Roberto Devereux and Arabella on the first trip, then Don Carlo and Manon Lescaut on the second one, I cannot put myself to writing in details as often.
All I have to say is the excellence of singing and acting from Frau Harteros both times.
That is why I decided to only celebrate her because after all I travelled to Munich twice for her this summer.
Arabella:
She dazzled of sincerity, beauty and emotion, in a role she has sung many times now.
Elizabeth:
I wanted to see her in this role and was glad Rene Pape was also on the cast. I found the production absolutely true to the period of the Spanish Inquisition, loved the costumes with the red and black contrast, felt all the beauties of these artists'interpretations. Of course it is such a reward to be part of the audience in the Bayerische Staatsoper! I was lucky to meet my Munich friends who also take me to the stagedoor after the opera to greet Frau Harteros almost each time I come to the BSO.
I must also mention the night before Arabella.
After a rather difficult beginning this absolute coloratura singer gave such a heartbreaking rendition of the role with no economy of voice effects and she really goes over any musical limits, she gives all her talent and musical knowledge to us. She is amazing in her category, unique.
She stayed on stage until the last clap with so much respect for her audience. I was almost crying watching her thank her fans, alone on stage. (July 10th 2015)
At Arabella curtain calls the following night, thunders of clapping acclaimed Anja Harteros who bowed with simplicity, as usual. She stayed a little bit longer I think.
My Munich friend threw a splendid yellow bouquel, like sunshine! She looked in the direction of my friend, waved at him, smiled like a happy child with a sunshine present then picked it up, bowed at audience and orchestra while walking backwards to get in line with her colleagues, all done in a very simple way, without any sign of exaggeration, her way! (From my seat, I could follow this because I know the ritual... and it is so charming to watch this tradition when one knows the friend who does this nice gesture).).
I wish I could celebrate her style of singing and acting any role, with more talent and knowledge on my part. But I did not study music for a living!
She is the best young singer I love seeing perform and I would try to travel for in the years to come, If it is still possible for me to do so.
(July the 11th. All my gratitude to my opera friends in Munich and Leipzig).
I am lucky to have this reliable friend in Munich who always helps me for tickets. Also I managed to get the Don Carlo ticket (a bit more expensive than usual) on the BSO forum and found another opera fan from Germany. My 'Opera' family is getting wider!
For Manon Lescaut, my friend gave me his ticket and I had a smashing evening with splendid view but did not enjoy the singing as much as I did the previous evening for Don Carlo. The very good acting of Christine Opolais cannot compensate her rather unpleasant voice to my ears. As for Jonas kaufmann, I also admire his skills and looks but he is not my favourite type of tenor so far. But this production was outstanding with lots of very striking partis pris, the last act was the saddest of all ever seen on stage and Alain Altinoglu made Puccini sound unforgettable that night. The applause were tremendous for both singers.
Some picts from both Edita and Anja: two true Divas dedicated to music and accurate singing, not relying on their image, but on their musicianship.
(I collect his books and have a signed copy of his Mozart, he used to give conferences at Marseille Opera house.)
http://blogs.qobuz.com/andretubeuf/
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