March 26, 2016; Cavalleria Rusticana in Berlin

2016-03-26 Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni), Deutsche Oper Berlin 

Santuzza = Elena Zhidkova
Turiddu = Jorge de León
Lucia = Ronnita Miller
Alfio = Mark Delavan
Lola = Stephanie Lauricella
Zwei Bauern = Robert Klöpper, Tomasz Rakocz


John Fiore, conductor
Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin
Kinderchor der Deutschen Oper Berlin
Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Director - David Pountney
Stage design, Costume design - Robert Innes Hopkins
Choreographer - Silke Sense
Chorus Master - William Spaulding

Childrens Chorus - Christian Lindhorst

It was almost 11 years ago that I saw this production for the first time (2005-05-01) and I do not like it much. The singing was superb on this occacion. Jorge de Leon (Turriddu) and Elena Zhidkova (Santuzza) have the most amazing voices, strong, vibrant voices and the acting was also superb. Ronnita Miller who looked like a Mama from another show was the definitive Mamma Lucia. I found the whole opera Cavalleria Rusticana much more to my liking with this Mamma Lucia. She was so real, so touching and yes, totally believable. Lola was also very good. Mark Delavan was Alfio. His acting was all there but the voice was not up to the high power of rest of the cast which was a shame.

The production has its wonderful moments like the Mass with all the icons and the Hymn. The Lord is risen. The chorus was amazing and Elena Zhidkova was the high light and supported by the wonderful Mamma Lucia, Ronnita Miller. It was an OK production with an incredible cast. Or I should say the cast was very credible and real.


Worst moment was when Turridu is murdered and a doll was sent flying down and Reality just flew away. It was unbelievable, stupid and a crude moment.

OD Travel & Photos
Original blog post

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com If you want to see more photos from my OperaDuets Travels, go to www.operaduetsphotos.com

July 21, 2013: Aida in Verona

2013-07-21 Aida (Verdi), Arena di Verona

The King = Carlo Cigni
Amneris = Daniela  Barcellona
Aida = Hui He
Radamès = Jorge de León
Ramfis = Marco Spotti
Amonasro = Alberto Mastromarino
A messenger = Riccardo Botta
High Priestess = Elena Rossi

Omer Meir Wellber, conductor

Director - Carlus Padrissa e Alex Ollé / La Fura dels Baus
Set - Roland Olbeter
Assistant Director / Choreographer - Valentina  Carrasco
Costumes - Chu Uroz

Lighting designer - Paolo Mazzon

AIDA, Arena di Verona 2013-07-21. Regie by Fura del Baus. Hui He was an amazing AIDA, Jorge de Leon was a lovely Radames and Daniela Barcellona excelled as Amneris.

The costumes was great to OK. Aida is on Egypt so why not make an extra story about the British Museum taking artifacts from Egypt. Well, first because this is opera staged and no film, so it is not working nor is it needed. The Regista must really love moving heavy objects around because it was happening all the time also at delicate musical times. And it really did not add anything of worth to the opera. Only distractions. The crocodiles in act 2 was also a distraction. Mechanical animals, camels and elephants. Cute, but... Was the whipping of the Ethiopian prisioners really necessary and why dressed like that? And all those in orange suits...


Musically speaking it was a triumph, especially the 3 protagonists and orchestra and chorus. The ballett, no. Really, no. Hui He carried the opera. The was the focus point. Alberto Mastromarino was a superb Amonasro. I saw a wonderful AIDA in 2005, please, bring it back!!!!

OD Travel & Photos

Original blog post

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com If you want to see more photos from my OperaDuets Travels, go to www.operaduetsphotos.com