Norma. Bellini\\\’s Norma is rather ambiguous in musical terms. On paper, the orchestra often seems sober and \\\’standard\\\’ bel canto, but in an excellent performance, the work can be mesmerising. Norma is entirely dependent on top-quality vocals. Bellini writes long phrases that offer little \\\’foothold\\\’ to singers who do not have exceptional legato. \\\’Casta diva\\\’ unfolds deliberately simply and slowly, but with too broad a vibrato, the aria becomes a series of loose, beautiful notes. This applies equally to the following cabaletta \\\’Ah! bello a me ritorna\\\’: if the tempo is too mechanical, virtuosity turns into routine and the music only sounds accelerating \\\’because that\\\’s how it\\\’s supposed to be\\\’.
Month: December 2025
Lady Macbeth del distretto di Mcensk. As for the soloists, Sara Jakubiak is a deeply moving Katerina in her vocal and physical performance. Najmiddin Mavlyanov plays a seductive Sergei, indifferent to what he provokes and inexorably sets in motion. Alexander Roslavets imposes a brutal, primitive, and disturbing Boris. Around them, remarkably, each role is played with rare intensity.
I Capuleti e i Montecchi. Yaritza Véliz was a revelation for us in the role of Julia. Brilliant, beautiful, and magnificent. This Chilean soprano possesses all the vocal assets and technical skills required for bel canto: purity of tone, excellent breath control and a feel for melodic lines, clarity and precision in the vocalises, a comfortable range and, above all, a flexibility that enables her to convey emotions simply by varying her tone, dynamics or use of voice, with floating, ethereal high notes worthy of the greatest singers.
Die Fledermaus. The audience responded with consistent enthusiasm, even if a full standing ovation did not materialize. Musically and theatrically – especially in the direction of the principals and the choreography (direction: Anna Bernreitner, dramaturgy: Jana Beckmann) – the work was of an extremely high standard. One had the impression of extremely thorough rehearsal, which had brought great enjoyment to all involved, and of an authentic creative flow that never felt forced. The isolated boos for Patti Basler and the production team at the curtain call were, to us, incomprehensible.