March 6, 2000: Herodiade in Vienna

2000-03-06 Herodiade (J. Massenet), Wiener Staatsoper

Herodiade = Agnes Baltsa
Jean = Kostadin Andreev
Herode = Georg Tichy
Salome = Nancy Gustafson
Phanuel = Wojtek Smilek
Vitellius = Istvan Gati
Oberpriester = David Cale Johnson
Eine Stimme = Tomislav Muzek

Reynald Giovaninetto, conductor



At last to see Agnes Baltsa in Herodiade. It was great. The Jean of the evening was Konstadin Andreev a mixture of Carreras & Domingo, very good. I missed Ferruccio Furlanetto's Phanuel and Juan Pons' Herode. And my favourite Salome is Eliane Coelho.

Wiener Staatsoper
montag, 6. märz 2000
26, Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung

Hérodiade
Oper in dreizehn Bildern von Paul Milliet,
Henri Grémont und Angelo Zanardini
Musik von Jules Massenet

Musikalische Leitung Reynald Giovaninetti
Szenische Konzeption
und Gestaltung Richard Bletschacher
Hermann Nitsch
Bühnenbild und Kostüme Hermann Nitsch
Chorleitung Ernst Dunshirn

OD Travel

March 4, 2000: Luisa Miller in Zurich

2000-03-04 Luisa Miller (G. Verdi), Opernhaus Zurich

Graf von Walter = Laszlo Polgar
Rodolfo = Neil Shicoff
Federica = Stefania Kaluza
Wurm = Carlos Chausson
Miller = Giorgio Zancanaro
Luisa Miller = Elena Mosuc
Federica = Stefania Kaluza

Frédéric Chaslin, conductor



lnszenierung DANIELE ABBADO
Regiemitarbeit BORIS STETKA
Bühnenbild DANTE FERRETTI
Bühnenbildmilarbeit LEllA FTEITA
Kostüme GABRIEllA PESCUCCI,
FLORA BRANCATEllA
Lichtgeslaltung JÜRGEN HOFFMANN
Filmbilder LUCA SCARZEllA
Chor JÜRG HÄMMERLl

Verdi: Luisa Miller
Opernhaus Zurich, March 4,


After Millers great aria in act 1 on man cried "Bravo, Giorgio!"

Stefania Kaluza was great as Federica, a comprimario role, she always have an imposing presence. Laszlo Polgar was in magnificent voice. Wurm was in good hands and voice, Carlos Chausson. Neil Shicoff was a dream for his fans, but unfortunately not for me. Elena Mosuc was a charming Luisa, but I felt that something was missing.

Wonderful to be able to see Luisa Miller live anyway. Love Verdi! and Opernhaus Zürich!

OD Travel

Better listening, a better Luisa & Rodolfo
from AllegroMusic Opera d'Oro with Katia Ricciarelli and José Carreras.

Or Deutsche Grammophon's Luisa Miller with Katia Ricciarelli and Plácido Domingo.

March 3, 2000: Cosi fan tutte in Zurich

A great Cosi fan tutte. An absolutely magical Despina. Her voice, her acting. Liked Bartoli too, but she is no soprano. Nikiteanu was a great Dorabella. Loved Carlos Chausson. And what a great tenor Roberto Sacca is !



Musikalische Leitung NIKOLAUS HARNONCOURT
Inszcnierung JÜRGEN FLlMM
Bühncnbild ERICH WONDER
Kostüme FLORENCE VON GERKAN
Lichtgestaltung JÜRGEN HOFFMANN
Chor ERNST RAFFELSBERGER

CHOR DES OPERNHAUSES ZÜRICH STATISTENVEREIN AM OPERNHAUS
ORCHESTER DER OPER ZÜRICH
Continuo: Cembalo THOMAS GRABOWSKI
Violoncello LUCIANO PEZZANI
UNTERSTÜTZT VON ABB
Musikalische Assistenz
und Einstudierung THOMAS GRABOWSKI
Abendspielleitung
und Regieassistenz GUDRUN HARTMANN
Regiehospitanz EVA ADAM, GREGORY FULLER
BühnenbildassistenzA MRA R" MATTHIAS ENGELMANN
Kostümassistenz GABRIELA PIZZO
Inspizienz SUSANN ZAHLER
Souffleur ADRIANO
Freitag, 3. März 2000FREIER VERKAUF
PAUSE NACH DEM 1, AKT
BEGINN19.00 UHR
ENDE ca. 22.30 UHR

Opernhaus Zurich
February 20, 23, 27
& March 1, 3, 9, 11, 14, 2000

2000-03-03 Cosi fan tutte (W.A. Mozart), Opernhaus Zurich

Don Alfonso = Carlos Chausson
Fiordiligi = Cecilia Bartoli
Dorabella = Liliana Nikoteanu
Guglielmo = Oliver Widmer
Ferrando = Roberto Sacca
Despina = Agnes Baltsa

Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor

OD Travel

February 5, 2000: Carmen in Berlin

2000-02-05 Carmen (G. Bizet), Deutsche Oper Berlin

Carmen = Agnes Baltsa
Don José = Alberto Cupido
Micaela = Michaela Kaune
Escamillo = Ludovic Tézier
Zuniga = Arutjun Kotchinian
Frasquita = Esther Lee
Mercedes = Mariana Cioromila
Morales = Kay Stiefermann
Remendado = Uwe Peper
Dancairo = Morten Ernst Lassen
Lillas Pastia = Frido Meyer-Wolff
Andres = Ulrich George

Ralf Weikert, conductor

DEUTSCHE OPER BERLIN
Saturday, 5. February 2000
Time: 19.00-22.30 hrs
Georges Bizet
Carmen
Conductor: Ralf Weikert (Jiri Kout)
Regie: Thomas M. Zipf
Scenography: Pier Luigi Samaritani
Choir: Helmut Sonne
Choreography: Klaus Beelitz

OPERA COMIQUE
with spoken dialogue
FIRST TIME for me: AGNES BALTSA live AS CARMEN
My first time in Berlin, too, but that's another story. It was not Agnes Baltsa's first time in Deutsche Oper Berlin. She really seemed to enjoy herself. Her voice was velvetly. In the beginning she seemed to be suffering from a cold. Maybe that cold had prevented her from singing Carmen in Zurich in January. To describe this evening in the Deutsche Oper, I must invoke the video from Metropolitan with Baltsa/Carreras. That was February 1987, 13 years ago. (My favourite video)-
Act 1: Much more beautiful setting in Berlin, than the Met. The people seemed more real. Beautiful dresses for the city folks. Morales (Kay Stiefermann, for an indisposed Peter Edelman) was funnier than the townspeople. Michaela (M. Kaune) was very pleasing in her singing and acting. More exciting than the Met. Zuniga was very imposing, great bass, this Aruntjun Kotchinian. Alberto Cupido, beautiful tenor voice, a real pleasure! The french dialogue was better spoken in the Met. AGNES BALTSA, incredible how she made Act 1 more exciting than I could have imagined it possible. When she was standing still, not even singing, just like all electricity was in her body. She was throwing some voltages to poor Don Jose. Agnes Baltsa even better than in video, how is it possible!!!
Act 2: The Lillas Pastia Tavern is really outside Sevilla, almost in the mountains. Quite understandable that the smugglers chose this place to be their rendevouz ordinaire. CHANSON BOHEMIENNE!!!. Agnes Baltsa is throwing herself into the singing/dancing. Beautiful voices from Mercedes & Frasquita. Escamillo (Ludovic Tezier), he is thrilling. Carmen is the only one not interested in him. Escamillo is singing the Toreador's Song and I am watching Carmen. Baltsa is thrilling in just being there, on stage, as Carmen.
Smugglers Quintet. Great. Loved sitting there listening for Agnes Baltsa's voice among all voices. Then Don Jose comes in. Although Alberto Cupido sings the Flower Song really well, has a beautiful voice. There is nothing wrong in his acting abilities. I long for the thrill (no 'that') Carreras brings in the video from the Met. SHE is great. The greatest moment of this act is "Non, tu ne m'aimes pas". That is simply GREAT. But the extra thrill is lacking. (It could be just because I am a Carreras fan, but...)
Zuniga, who is sung by an extraordinary bass, comes in. Or rather forces himself in. Breaking in, ridiculing Jose. Naturally the duel. Carmen makes the joke go to him, Zuniga, calling the other smugglers. For the first time, I realized that Don Jose could have chosen not to become a smuggler. It would have been another jail-sentence....
Act 3: A dangerous spot in the mountains. More reality than in the Met. What a great chorus Deutsche Oper has. So clear the voices ring. GREAT AGNES BALTSA!! Cardscene!! thrills upon thrills. The dialogue with the Guide, was better than in the Met. Not so exaggerating. MICHAELA Kaune sang the aria, with all what you can want. Duet/Duell Jose/Escamillo another highlight. CARMEN saves Escamillo!!. Fury from Don Jose. Then Michaela is found, the Ensembles is caressing my ears.
Act 4: Lovely scene outside the Arena. Maximum use of little place, and few people. Seems more than it is. Grand Parade! Duettino Escamillo/Carmen, Mercedes/Frasquita warn Carmen. GRAND DUET Jose/Carmen. ALL HIGHLIGHTS!!


Carmen = AGNES BALTSA
great singing, acting and dialogue
Her Carmen is wild, only one Law (her own)
More persuading than ever! More Electricity! Fantasy Carmen!
Don Jose = ALBERTO CUPIDO
great tenor voice, beautiful voice!
Difficult to hear what he is saying
Michaela = Michaela Kaune
Great Soprano voice
Acting and dialogue
Escamillo = Ludovic Tézier
Toreador's Song Great
Better than Ramey?
great voice, acting, dialogue
Zuniga = Arutjun Kotchinian
What a Voice!!!!
Greater than most Basses!
Personality!!

FRASQUITA = Esther Lee (Cornelia Götz)
MERCEDES = Mariana Cioromila
MORALES = Kay Stiefermann (Peter Edelmann)
REMENDADO = Uwe Peper
DANCAIRO = Morten Ernst Lassen
LILLAS PASTIA = Frido Meyer-Wolff
ANDRES = Ulrich George

OD Travel

June 25, 2000: Carmen in Zurich

2000-06-25 Carmen (G. Bizet), Opernhaus Zurich

Carmen = Agnes Baltsa
Don José = Gösta Winbergh
Micaëla = Elena Mosuc
Escamillo = Cheyne Davidson
Frasquita = Eun -Yee You
Mercedes = Irene Friedli
Zuniga = Jozsef Dene
Remendado = Volker Vogel
Dancairo = Simon Jaunin
Morales = Peter Kalman
Lillas Pastia = Adriano

Jacques Delacôte, conductor



Musikalische Leitung JACQUES DELACÔTE
Inszenierung/Bühnenbild JEAN-PIERRE PONNEllE
Spielleitung GRISCHA ASAGAROFF
Kostüme WERNER JUHRKE
Lichtgestaltung JAKOB SCHLOSSSTEIN
Chor ERNST RAFFElSBERGER


Dancairo SIMON JAUNIN°

Bergführer JONAS VEYA
1.. Leutnant MANUEL ADARVE
2. Leutnant THOMAS PÜTZ
Manuelita RENATE BLUM
0 Mitglied des Internationelen Opernstudios
CHOR DES OPERNHAUSES ZÜRICH ZUSATZCHOR OPERNHAUS ZÜRICH KINDERCHOR DES OPERNHAUSES STATISTENVEREIN AM OPERNHAUS ZÜRICH
ORCHESTER DER OPER ZÜRICH
Verlag: All,or-Edition Kassel
Kritische Neuausgabe nach den Quellen von Fritz Oeser
,Sonntag, 25. Juni 2000Migros-Abo B
Lichtpausen nach dem 1.. und 3. Alu Pause nach dem 2. Akt
Beginn: 20.00 Uhr

Opernhaus Zurich, Carmen, Agnes Baltsa, Gosta Winbergh, Elena Mosuc, Cheyne Davidson
Jacques Delacote had used all his patience on Werther, and had none for Carmen. The prelude of Carmen was played extremely fast, painful. I had taken night-train to Zurich, and already had one opera, and this inpatient conductor. Carmen Opriseanu had replaced Vesselina Kasarova as Charlotte in Werther (and it was a lucky choice for my ears and eyes), but Gösta Winbergh was replacing José Cura as Don José... I was disappointed, I had wondered about Cura being Don José, and to see Cura with Agnes... I admired Winbergh, but he is not my Don José. I was also disappointed about Agnes Baltsa, maybe I was too tired, and I don't like the Zurich production of Carmen, it have lost it charms. (... and God, was I tired when I came to my hotel room!)

And this was my only chance to see the great Swedish tenor live (or indeed alive, since he is dead now) SAD....

OD Travel

June 25, 2000: Werther in Zurich

2000-06-25 Werther (J. Massenet), Opernhaus Zurich

Werther = Francisco Araiza
Albert = Alfred Muff
Le Bailli = Rudolf A. Hartmann
Charlotte = Carmen Opriseanu
Sophie = Dawn Kotoski

Jacques Delacôte, conductor



Musikalische Leitung JACQUES DELACÔTE
Inszenierung nnd Bühnenbild MARCO ARTURO MARELLI
Spielleitung CLAUDIA BLERSCH
Kostüme DAGMAR NIEFIND-MARELLI
Lichtgestaltung ROBERTUS CREMER
Chor JÜRG HÄMMERLI


KINDER CHOR DES OPERNHAUSES ZUSATZCHOR OPERNHAUS ZÜRICH STATISTENVEREIN AM OPERNHAUS
ORCHESTER DER OPER ZÜRICH
Solocello Claudius Herrmann
Solovioline Ada Pesch
Musikalische Assistenz
und Einstudierung KELLY THOMAS, HERVE MAHE
Organisation und
Betreuung der Kinder SUSY SIEGRIST, CHRISTINE KRISZUN
lnspizienz SUSANN ZAHLER
Souffleuse URSULA MORI
Verlag. Editions Heugel, Paris
Sonntag, 25. Juni 2000UBS-Abo
Pause nach dem 2. Akt
Beginn: 14.00 Uhr Ende: ca. 16.30 Uhr

Opernhaus Zurich, Werther, Francisco Araiza, Carmen Opriseanu
Act 1 - Spring
Act 2 - Summer
Act 3 - Autumn
Act 4 - Winter.
Another version of Werther, some persons was deleted from the opera, only the principals remained, (deleted: Schmidt, Johann, Brühlmann and Kätchen). Colorful production.

OD Travel + Photos

June 23, 2000: L'Italiana in Algeri, Vienna

2000-06-23 L'Italiana in Algeri (G. Rossini), Wiener Staatsoper

Mustafà = Kristinn Sigmundsson
Elvira = Simina Ivan
Zulma = Stella Grigorian
Haly = Istvan Gati
Lindoro = Juan Diego Flórez
Isabella = Agnes Baltsa
Taddeo = Alfred Sramek

Marcello Viotti, conductor



Wiener Staatsoper
45. Auffiihrung in dieser Inszenierung
Zum letzten Mal in dieser Spielzeit
L' I taliana in Algeri
Drama giocoso per musica in zwei Akten
von Angelo Anelli
Musik von Gioachino Rossini

Musikalische Leitung Marcello Viotti
Nach einer Inszenierung
und in der Ausstattung von Jean-Pierre Ponnelle Chorleitung Ernst Dunshirn
-,-

-, .
Ort der Handlung Aigerien
Orchester und Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
Die Auffuhrung basiert auf Azio Corghis kritischer Ausgabe
der Fondazione Rossini Pesaro in Zusammenarbeit
mit G. Ricordi, SPA Milano

Another wonderful performance of

Agnes Baltsa = Isabella
Juan Diego Florez = Lindoro
Taddeo Alfred Sramek
Mustafa = Kristinn Sigmundsson
Elvira = Simina Ivan
Zulma = Stella Grigorian
Haly = Istvan Gati

wonderful!!!!!

OD Travel + Photos

June 22, 2000: Lucia di Lammermoor in Vienna

2000-06-22 Lucia di Lammermoor (G. Donizetti), Wiener Staatsoper

Enrico = Franco Vassallo
Lucia = Edita Gruberova
Edgardo = Keith Ikaia-Purdy
Arturo = Torsten Kerl
Raimondo = Egils Silins
Alisa = Mihaela Ungureanu
Normanno = Tomislav Muzek

Marcello Viotti, conductor

Wiener Staatsoper
donnerstag,22. juni 2000
124. Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung

Zum letzten Mal in dieser Spielzeit
Lucia di Lammermoor
Tragische Oper
Dichtung nach Walter Scott
von Salvatore Cammarano
Musik von Gaetano Donizetti

Musikalische Leitung / Marcello Viotti
Inszenierung / Boleslaw Barlog
Bühnenbild / Pantelis Dessyllas
Kostüme / Silvia Strahammer
Chorleitung / Ernst Dunshirn
.,
Enrico (Lord Henry Ashton) Franco Vassalloo

-,
Ort der Handlung
Schloß und Park von Ravenswood in Schottland
.Zeit Ende des 16 jahrhunderts

Orchester und Chor der Wiener Staatsoper

0 Debüt an der Wiener Staatsoper

It was the most wonderful evening in the opera. Amazing this woman, Gruberova!! I had to remind myself that she was not really so young as she seemed as Lucia. An actress, a wonderful voice! I loved the production. The other singers was good too, Edgardo and Lucia's brother. And because Neil Shicoff was not singing I got a splendid ticket and wonderful seat.

OD Travel

June 21, 2000: Die Lustige Witwe in Vienna

2000-06-21 Die Lustige Witwe (F. Lehár), Wiener Staatsoper

Baron Mirko Zeta = Alfred Sramek
Valencienne = Birgid Steinberger
Hanna Glawari = Angela Denoke
Graf Danilo Danilowitsch = Bo Skovhus
Camille de Rosillon = Mathias Zachariassen
Vicomte Cascada = Hans Peter Kammerer
Raoul de St. Brioche = Peter Jelosits
Bogdanowitsch = Johannes Gisser
Sylviane = Maria Bierbaumer
Kromow = David Cale Johnson
Giga = Daniela Wagner
Pritschitsch = Johann Reinprecht
Praskowia = Gretchen Eder
Njegus = Fritz Muliar
Cancan-Solist = Christian Musil

Dietfried Bernet, conductor

Wiener Staatsoper
mittwoch. 21. juni 2000
24. Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung

Die lustige Witwe
Operette in drei Akten von Victor Léon und Leo Stein
Musik von Franz Lehár

Musikalische Leitung / Dietfried Bernet
Inszenierung / Andrei Serban
Bühnenbild / Wilhelm Holzbaner
Kostüme / Wilhelm Holzbaner
Claudia Lukas
Dialogfassung
und Dialogregie / Fritz Muliar
Choreinstudierung / Ernst Dunshirn
Choreographie / Laurence Fanon
.., ..

Hanna Glawari / Angela Denoke*

* Rollendebüt an der Wiener Staatsoper

Wiener-operette in Staatsoper, sounded like fun, was boring. The Vilja-song was the bottom for me, the other part of the audience loved it.

OD Travel

June 20, 2000: L'Italiana in Algeri, Vienna

2000-06-20 L'Italiana in Algeri (G. Rossini), Wiener Staatsoper

Mustafà = Kristinn Sigmundsson
Elvira = Simina Ivan
Zulma = Stella Grigorian
Haly = Istvan Gati
Lindoro = Juan Diego Flórez
Isabella = Agnes Baltsa
Taddeo = Alfred Sramek

Marcello Viotti, conductor

Wiener Staatsoper
dienstag,20. juni 2000
44. Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung

L' I taliana in AIgeri
Drama giocoso per musica in zwei Akten von Angelo Anelli
Musik von Gioachino Rossini

Musikalische Leitung Marcello Viotti
Nach einer Inszenierung
und in der Ausstattung von Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Chorleitung Ernst Dunshirn
., .

-,
Ort der Handlung" Algerien

Orchester und Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
Die Aufführung basiert auf Azio Corghis kritischer Ausgabe
der Fondazione Rossini Pesaro in Zusammenarbeit mit G Ricordi, SPA Milano

* Rollendebüt an der Wien er Staatsoper 0 Debüt an der Wiener Staatsoper

Wiener Staatsoper, L'Italiana in Algeri, Agnes Baltsa, Juan Diego Florez, Kristinn Sigmundsson
First time for me to see this opera in an operahouse. It was Jean Pierre Ponnelle's production. Agnes Baltsa was Isabella, Juan Diego Florez was Lindoro. Ruggero Raimondi was ill so Kristinn Sigmundsson was Mustafa instead. Simina Ivan as Elvira, Stella Grigorian as Zulma. Istvan Gati was Haly. Alfred Sramek was Taddeo.

The only disappointment was not seeing Ruggero Raimondi, my favorite bass. A wonderful comic opera with a great cast. Kristinn Sigmundsson was as burlesque as Mustafa should be. Simina Ivan was a complaintive Elvira, Mustafa's suffering wife. Wonderful voice! Stella Grigorian as Istvan Gati was always supporting the suspense. Juan Diego Florez, a small man with a great voice. And Isabella, Agnes Baltsa, was the highlight!!

OD Travel

June 16, 2000: Sly in Barcelona

2000-06-16 Sly (E. Wolff-Ferrari), Gran Teatre de Liceu (Barcelona)

Sly = Josep Carreras
Dolly = Isabelle Kabatu
Westmoreland = Sherill Milnes
John Plake = Alessandro Guerzoni
The Hostess = Mireia Pinto

David Gimenez, conductor

What a great performance! Carreras had his son Alberto, daughter Julia, brother Alberto and Patricia in the audience. And his nephew, David Giménez was conducting Sly (as on the 13). And Marion and I chose different doors to wait for our start JOSEP. Some Carreras- fans was already waiting. And I saw them all, son, daughter, brother, Patricia, but not Giménez he went on the front of Liceu, I was on the sideway.

OD Travel

June 13, 2000: Sly in Barcelona

2000-06-13 Sly (E. Wolff-Ferrari), Gran Teatre de Liceu (Barcelona)

Sly = Josep Carreras
Dolly = Isabelle Kabatu
Westmoreland = Sherill Milnes
John Plake = Alessandro Guerzoni
The Hostess = Mireia Pinto

David Gimenez, conductor



It was the first time for me in his operahouse, Gran Teatre del Liceu. It was wonderful. Josep Carreras was great. Isabella Kabatu was a wonderful Dolly. Sherill Milnes was the Count, I liked Juan Pons much better in that role. Guerzoni was a sympathic and good-looking John Plake, good voice, but Carlos Chausson (Zurich) was greater. Mirea Pinto was the hostess, weak voice and that lack of that stage presence that made Stefania Kaluza so memorable in Zurich. I sat close to the stage and took no photos.

On June 13 and 16 I went to the Liceu to see this opera with José Carreras as Sly. Twice for really getting into this opera. Dig deeper... The same production as in Zurich, but another conductor, and the rest of singers except Carreras was the same. David Gimenez, the conductor, gave more beauty to the opera, a more subtle way of conducting. Isabelle Kabatu as Dolly was great, warner than Daniela Dessi. I had seen Kabatu earlier as Dolly in Zurich 2000 (May 17th) and that told me that Barcelona Zurich was worth seeing twice. Josep Carreras was even better, and June 16 was the best performance. Sherrill Milnes was not as great as Juan Pons as Westmoreland. Only David Gimenez, Isabelle Kabatu and Josep Carreras was better than Zurich 1998.

OD Travel

June 10, 2000: Samson et Dalila in Zurich

2000-06-10 Samson et Dalila (C. Saint-Saëns), Opernhaus Zurich

Dalila = Agnes Baltsa
Samson = José Cura
Le Grand-Prêtre de Dagon = Giorgio Zancanaro
Abimelech = Guido Götzen
Un vieillard hebreu = Giuseppe Scorsin
Un messager philistin = Matthias Aeberhard
Premier philistin = Miroslav Christoff
Second philistin = Werner Gröschel
Un enfant = Joêl Bourgeois

Jacques Delacôte, conductor



Samson et Dalila with Jose Cura, Agnes Baltsa & Giorgio Zancanaro

It is the same production that I saw in 1996 with Carreras as Samson, Baltsa as Dalila, and Giorgio Zancanaro as Grand Pretre de Dagon. And naturally I wondered about how would Cura do against the comparison of Carreras. Already as we first see Cura, difference is great. Cura is coming, the muscle-man, trying to convince the people as with force. When Carreras came, it was the as a prophete, a Man of God, with spiritual means to convince the people. Samson was a womanizer (read the Bible) so Cura is doing it right in act 1 when Dalila is singing and he is trying to look at all the women on the stage. Carreras (Samson) saw only Dalila (Baltsa).

Act 2
The excitement was greater in 1996 (maybe it was age, maybe not). Jose Cura and Agnes Baltsa in the seduction scene, the magnetism was not working... Carreras/Baltsa in 1996 was magic.

Act 3
"Vois ma misere". Jose Cura was too physically strong to make justice to this scene. Carreras, on the other hand, was heartbroken and the audience felt it, it was making me cry. Cura sang well, but I was indifferent. Cura was almost tossing the boy around on the stage, when a boy guides the blinded Samson. One never felt that this Samson had lost any strength. With Carreras we all knew it was God's hand that destroyed the Hall with all the Philistines and Samson and Dalila.

The same production as 1996 and Agnes Baltsa is older, but it was great enjoyment. My personal view of Samson makes Jose Carreras my favorite Samson, but I admit that Jose Cura is not bad. (I like Carreras' more spiritual Samson, Cura was more the physical strong Samson), One witness a near operatic disaster in Act 1, Cura loses track, and his big voice makes it so obvious. But Cura is a professional artist he gets on track. Zancanaro is not better than in 1996, but he is good.

Musikalische LeitungJACQUES DELACÔTE
InszenierungGRISCHA ASAGAROFF
BühnenbildMAROUAN DIB
KostümeJAN SKALlCKY
Lichtgestaltung'ROBERTUS CREMER
ChorJÜRG HÄMMERLl
ChoreographieBERND R. BIENERT


0 Mitglied des Inte'rnlltionnalen Opernstudios
ZÜRCHER BALLETT
1. RildDelphine Perroud, Galina Mihailova,
Nathalie Sawinow, Cornelia Lüthi, Fabiana Maltarolli, Alla Bykanova
4. BildFabiana Maltarolli -Kinsun Chan
Delphine Perroud -Lukaseh Abramian Galina Mihailova -Petros Terterian Nathalie Sawinow -Vardan Khaehatryan Cornelia Lüthi -Vahe Mertirosyan
Alla Bykanova -Andres Heras Frutos
CHOR DES OPERNHAUSES ZÜRICH ZUSATZCHOR OPERNIIAUS ZÜRICH STATISTENVEREIN AM OPERNHAUS
ORCHESTER DER OPER ZÜRICH
Samstag, 10. ,Juni 2000Schwveizer Illustrierte-Abo
Pausen nach dem 1. und 2. Akt Beginn: 19.45 Uhr
Ende: ca. 22.45 Uhr

OD Travel + Photos

May 20, 2000: Pagliacci in Vienna

2000-05-20 Pagliacci (R. Leoncavallo), Wiener Staatsoper

Canio (Pagliaccio) = Giuseppe Giacomini
Nedda (Colombina) = OIga Guryakova
Tonio (Taddeo) = Leo Nucci
Beppe (Arlecchino) = Herwig Pecoraro
Silvio = Geert Smits

Jun Märkl, conductor

Wiener Staatsoper
samstag, 20. mai 2000


63. Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung
Pagliacci
Drama in zwei Akten
Text und Musik von Ruggero Leoncavallo

Musikalische Leitung Jun Märkl
Inszenierung, Bühnenbild
und Kostüme Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Chorleitung Ernst Dunshirn


Nedda (Colombina), seine Frau Olga Guriakowa*
(Olga Guriakova, Olga Guryakova, Olga Guryakowa)
Silvio, ein junger Bauer Geert Smits*

Erster Bauer Gerhard Eder
Zweiter Bauer Johann Reinprecht

Ort der Handlung Bei Montalto in Calabrien

Orchester und Chor der Wiener Staatsoper Eleven der Ballettschule der Wiener Staatsoper Gumpoldskirchner Kinderchor Bühnenorchester der Wiener Staatsoper

* Rollendebüt an der Wiener Staatsoper

After Cavalleria Rusticana with Agnes Baltsa, this opera was just not IT. Giuseppe Giacomini as Canio was rather boring. Olga Guryakova as Nedda was good enough. Leo Nucci was a delight as Tonio. Nothing more to say, really...

OD Travel

May 20, 2000: Cavalleria Rusticana in Vienna

2000-05-20 Cavalleria Rusticana (P. Mascagni), Wiener Staatsoper

Santuzza = Agnes Baltsa
Turiddu = Luis Lima
Lucia = Nelly Boschkowa
Alfio = Alberto Mastromarino
Lola = Stella Grigorian

Jun Märkl, conductor



Wiener Staatsoper
samstag, 20. mai 2000
65. Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung

Cavalleria rusticana
Musikdrama in einem Akt
Text von G. 1argioni- T ozzetti und G. Menasci
nach dem gleichnamigen Schauspiel von Giovanni Verga
Musik von Pietro Mascagni

Musikalische Leitung Jun Märkl
Inszenierung, Bühnenbild
und Kostüme Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Chorleitung Ernst Dunshirn

Lola, seine Frau Stella Grigorian*
-..
Ort der Handlung Ein Dorf in Sizilien

Orchester und Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
Eleven der Ballettschule der Wiener Staatsoper Bühnenorchester der Wiener Staatsoper

* Rollendebüt an der Wiener Staatsoper

May 20th
Guided tour of Wiener Staatsoper 13.00
Earlier in the day I was in Staatsoper for one of its Guided Tours. And in the the of the tour, we saw the workers make the scene ready for Cavalleria Rusticana.

Carreras Club Wien
Hotel Astoria at 16.00

After my first meeting with the ladies of the Carreras Club Wien at Hotel Astoria, I went to the Staatsoper to see Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci.

Wiener Staatsoper 19.30
Cavalleria Rusticana
with Agnes Baltsa

The Austrian Television was there to record Baltsa in her parade role as Santuzza.

She was on stage the whole opera. Even from the prelude. I have never seen any opera where the music was in every happening on stage. (Like a Ballett).


Santuzza = Agnes Baltsa.
She is condamned by the society. Her fault: being woman, and falling in love with Turriddu. A man of no discretion.

Turriddu = Luis Lima
They (society) must have known about Turriddu and Santuzza. But he is a man. Maybe they even know about him and Lola. Unsympatic figure!

Lola
Married to Alfio. They are prominent members. Lola who has betrayed her husband, is accepted by society. Even when there can be no doubt what have happened between her and Turriddu. (The duel)

Alfio
Rich, admired. For what: being rich? This Alfio, was young and no vulgar figure.

OD Travel

May 18, 2000: Rigoletto in Zurich

2000-05-18 Rigoletto (G. Verdi), Opernhaus Zurich

Der Herzog von Mantua = Piotr Bezcala
Rigoletto = Carlo Guelfi
Gilda = Elena Mosuc
Sparafucile = Pavel Daniluk
Maddalena = Stefania Kaluza
Giovanna = Tuija Knihtilä
Monterone = Valery Murga
Marullo = Peter Kálmán
Borsa = Volker Vogel
Graf von Ceprano = Jozsef Dene

Maurizio Arena, conductor


Inszenierung GRISCHA ASAGAROFF
Bühnenbild JORGE VILLAREAL
Kostüme JAN SKALlCKY
LichtgestaltungJ AKOB SCHLOSSSTEIN
Chor JÜRG HÄMMERLl
Choreographische Mitarbeit RUDOLF BUDAVÁRY


Die Gräfin, seine Gemahlin CHRISTINE KNORREN°
Die Herzogin von Mantua CIIARLOTTE ROHRBACH
Ihr Page VIOLETA RADOMIRSKA o
Wache RÚNI BRATTABERG0
0 lMitgliedl rIes Inlternationalen Opcrnstndios
Damen wId Herren am Hofe,CHOR DES OPERNHAUSES ZÜRICH
Pagen, HcllcbardiereBEWEGUNGSCHOR UND STATISTENVEREIN
ORCHESTER DER OPER ZÜRICH
Donnerstag, 18. Mai 2000Migros-Volksvorstellung
Pause nach dem 1.. Akt (2. Bild)
Beginn: 1.9.30 Uhr
Ende:22.30 Uhr

May 18th
Opernhaus Zurich 1930-22.30
Rigoletto (Giuseppe Verdi)
A wonderful production of Rigoletto
Rigoletto = a great Carlo Guelfi
Gilda = a fantastic Elena Mosuc
Duca = a wonderful Piotr Beczala
Maddalena = Stefania Kaluza (always good)


May 19th
Train from Zurich to Vienna
22.33-08.08

OD Travel

May 17, 2000: Sly in Zurich

2000-05-17 Sly (Wolff-Ferrari), Opernhaus Zurich

Sly = Boiko Zvetanov
Graf von Westmoreland = Carlo Guelfi
Dolly = Isabelle Kabatu
John Plake = Oliver Widmer

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor




Französischer Edelmlaun/Musiker MIROSLAV CHRISTOFF
1, Edehmann/Mohr MARTIN ZYSSET
2, Edelmann/Indianer VOLKER VOGEL
3, Edehmann/ Alter Diener PETER KELLER
4, Edelmamn/Chinese RUDOLF A. HARTMANN
5. Edelmann/Doktor PETER KÁLMÁN
Wirtin STEFANIA KAILUZA
Rosalina ANNETTE JOHANSSON°
Snare, PolizeibeamtweRUNI BRATTABERGo
Page EUN-YEE YOUo
Kellner KENNETH ROBERSON°
Landrichter MATTIIIAS AEBERHARDO
Soldat SIMON JAUNIN°
Koch HEIKKI YRTTIAHO
Fuhrmanm ENGELBERT CARL
1. Säufer CARL HIEGER
2. Säufer JÖRG HEPPE
1. Dame JULIA NEUMANN°
2. Dame ANNETTEJOHANNSON°
3. Dame VIOLETTA RADOMIRSKA o
1. Diener RUDOLF A. HARTMANN
2. Diener SIMON JAUNIN°
3. Diemer PETER KÁLMÁN
Mitglied des Internationalen Opernstudios
Dubiose Individluen Julia Cheremeteff, Elisabeth Fues,
und junge Höflinge Katharina Gebauer, Yael Herz, Megan Laehn,
Cornelia Meierbans, Simone Spicak,
Marisa Waldburger, Eva Zmekova
Richard Dozsa, Markus Gehrig, Daniele Gullo, Marc Meier, Bernhard Rubin
CHOR DES OPERNHAUSES ZÜRICH
STATISTENVEREIN AM OPERNHAUS ZÜRICH
ORCHESTER DER OPER ZÜRICH


Inszenierung HANS HOLLMANN
Spielleitung ULRICH SENN
Bühnenbild HANS HOFFER
Kostüme DIRK VON BODISCO
Lichtgestaltung JÜRGEN HOFFMANN
Chor ERNST RAFFELSBERGER

May 17th
(National Day Norway)
SAS from Oslo to Copenhagen 13:30-14:40
From Copenhagen to Zurich 15:20-17:10

Opernhaus Zurich 19.30-22.45
SLY with Boiko Zvetanov
Luckily I had recently looked up JC's schedule at JCarreras.com . So it was no shock to find out that Boiko Zvetanow was singing Sly. Boiko was in great voice, and he is a good actor. Isabelle Kabatu was Dolly. She was a revelation. Touching, marvelous voice. Carlo Guelfi was the Count of Westmoreland. Difficult role. He was good, but Juan Pons was better. Oliver Widmer sang John Plake. He was drowned by the orchestra. (Carlos Chausson was formidable in this role).

OD Travel