March 19, 2005: Josep Carreras in Bergen

2005-03-19 Jose Carreras, Grieghallen (Bergen)

Josep Carreras, tenor
Nuovo Quartetto Italiano
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano



Jose Carreras first time in Bergen, Norway
For the first time in Bergen. Grieghallen March 19th, 2005. With him is string quartet Nuovo Quartetto Italiano and Lorenzo Bavaj on piano.
The End of Carreras Nordic Tour 2005.
Standing ovations and 6 extra numbers!!!!

PROGRAMME

Jose Carreras: Luna Nova (Mario Pasquale Costa)
Jose Carreras: Elegie (Jules Massenet)

Nuovo Quartetto Italiano: L'Ultima Canzone (Francesco Paolo Tosti)

Jose Carreras: Segreto (Francesco Paolo Tosti)
Jose Carreras: Sogno (Francesco Paolo Tosti)
Jose Carreras: Aprile (Francesco Paolo Tosti)

Nuovo Quartetto Italiano: Intermezzo (Respighi) (played Presto by Donizetti??)

Jose Carreras: T'estimo (Edvard Grieg)
Jose Carreras: O primavera (Pier Adolfo Tirindelli)

PAUSE

Jose Carreras: L'Oreneta (Enric Morera)
Jose Carreras: Andaluza (Enrique Granados)

Nuovo Quartetto Italiano: Scherzo (Giuseppe Verdi)

Jose Carreras: Na sera e maggio (Giuseppe Cioffi)
Jose Carreras: Firenze sogna (Cesar Cesarini)
Jose Carreras: Passione (Vincenzo Valente)

Nuovo Quartetto Italiano: Crisantemi (Giacomo Puccini)

Jose Carreras: Silenzo cantatore (Gaetano Lama)
Jose Carreras: Musica proibita (Stanislao Gastaldon)




JOSÉ CARRERAS
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano
Nuovo Quartetto Italiano
Grieghallen, Bergen 19.3.2005

Josep Carreras 9th time in Norway, and first time in Bergen. Almost 15 years after I saw Josep Carreras live for the first time I see him this time too in Norway. 14 years and 11 months on the date since his recital in Oslo Konserthus. This time a much better seat. This time also full house. But this is a great evening with standing ovation and 5 extra numbers. 15 years ago it was more the baroque arias, this time it is the more lighter songs of Tosti, Costa and so on. Of the more major composers Grieg and Massenet.

He started with LUNA NOVA by Costa, not my favorite piece and more of a warming up of voice piece. His voice is perfect for Massenet and his mastering of the French is superb. ELEGIE of Massenet was the first highlight of the concert. What a disappointment that L'ULTIMA CANZONE by Tosti was just played by the string quartet, where it became just a very minor classical piece. Josep Carreras came back to sing 3 more songs of Tosti, not really his best rendition of the song but sung with full passion more suited for opera arias, really. After Tosti the Nuovo Quartetto Italiano was supposed to play INTERMEZZO by Respighi but they played PRESTO by Donizetti (?!).

After the quartet had played Carreras came back and treated us with an exquisite rendition of Griegs JEG ELSKER DIG in Catalan T*ESTIMO. Sorry to say that the string quartet did not enhance the magic of this romance, but Lorenzo Bavaj and Josep Carreras gave it all the magic needed to take the breath away of the enchanted audience. The height of musicality was somewhat lowered in the O PRIMAVERA by Tirindelli but still it sounded almost like a major classical piece.

PAUSE.

The second part was really superior to the first. To sing the Catalan songs gave Carreras a boost that maybe already the romance of Grieg had given. L*ORONETA and especially ANDALUZA was magnificently sung. The string quartet was OK with Verdi's SCHERZO, but luckily when Carreras came back to sing Neapolitan songs as NA SERA MAGGIO, FIRENZE SOGNO and PASSIONE, all the passion the Catalan tenor used was justified and a mesmerized audience succumbed completely. At last the string quartet that had bothered us with it good but not great playing had found the piece right for the occasion Puccini's music where the magical music from his greatest opera, MANON LESCAUT was heard. At last there was some opera music. And the official program was ended with some of my favorite music, SILENTIO CANTATORE and MUSICA PROIBITA. And the audience was up on its feet, applauding and shouting BRAVO!!

And the we were treated with a tenor with lots of humor, gratefully to his Bergen audience. 6 extra numbers. This concert was a smash hit in Bergen.

EXTRA NUMBER

1. Un'Ombra (from PURE PASSION)
2. Coren'grato (CARDILLO)
3. Vurria
4. Un Núvol blanc (LLACH)
5. Neapolitan song about Winter
6. Santa Lucia

OD Travel + Photos

February 27, 2004: Jose Carreras Gala in Vienna

2004-02-27 Carreras Gala, Wiener Staatsoper

Part 1: Recital

José Carreras, tenor
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano

Part 2: Sly (act 3)
by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari

Sly = José Carreras
Dolly = Isabelle Kabatu
Diener = Boaz Daniel

David Giménez, conductor

Part 3: Carmen (act 4)
by Georges Bizet

Don José = José Carreras
Carmen = Agnes Baltsa
Escamillo = Boaz Daniel
Mercédès = Stella Grigorian
Frasquita = Bori Keszei

David Giménez, conductor



27. February 2004
José Carreras Benefit Gala,
Wiener Staatsoper.
Leukemia Foundation
30 years since Carreras made his debut in Wiener Staatsoper as the Duke in Rigoletto (1974).

Part 1:
Lieder & Arias by
Puccini, Verdi, Massenet, Cilea & Tschaikowsky.

Part 2: Sly (act 3)
by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari


Part 3: Carmen (act 4)
by Georges Bizet


(Firma Peter Kupfer Kulturmanagment & Media.)
José Carreras Benefiz-Gala zugunsten der Leukämiestiftung

-------------A Fantastic Night at the Opera--------------------------
Traveling had given my a bit of a head-
ache, but this was a magic day, Carreras in Wiener Staatsoper again, my head-ache just had to be cured in time. After a few tablets I was almost ready for Carreras and Opera. With my new camera I came to Vienna State Opera ready for a new meeting with Carreras' voice.

The first part was Carreras and Bavaj (piano) and songs of Tosti, Leoncavallo and Puccini. I found Carreras voice a bit heavy now for the lovely love songs, but in the French songs by Leoncavallo, and finally in Puccini he was much more in his right element. His voice is definitely right for opera.

The second part was Sly, last act. You really need to have seen the whole opera to really understand the agony Sly is in and what kind of person Sly is. Carreras was a wonderful Sly. But when Isabelle Kabatu came in that was when the level started to be ethereal. God, what a divine voice, and Carreras and Kabatu was just magic together. Sly dies and Dolly rages towards the cowards that have destroyed something really beautiful. It was a really heart-wrenching scene. And Giménez does make Wolf-Ferrari´s music really into the most fantastic music.

Giménez conducted Carmen with Baltsa & Carreras, last act. What can I say other than it was fantastic? Only this, I really wanted the whole opera with Carreras and Baltsa singing conducted by David Giménez.

Of course the Vienna audience was wild with excitement and love. There were speaks by Ioan Holender in the end, and a thank-you- speech from Carreras. And after the first part a big pay-check was given to Carreras.

OD Travel + Photos

December 17, 1993: Josep Carreras in Oslo

1993-12-17 Christmas Opera Galla, Oslo Spektrum

Josep Carreras, tenor
Karita Mattila, soprano
Norwegian Radio Orchestra
Enrique Ricci, conductor

Jose Carreras

in concert

CHRISTMAS OPERA GALA

with Norwegian Radio Orchestra

Conductor: Enrique Ricci

introducing

Karita Mattila

Soprano

Friday 17 December 1993

Oslo Spektrum

Newspapers
Aftenposten
Dato: 1993-12-17 Utgave: Aften
"Kong Carreras' ariekarriére"

Aftenposten
Dato: 1993-12-19 Utgave: Morgen
"Intim sangkunst i et stort rom"

Aftenposten
Dato: 1993-12-18 Utgave: Morgen
"Supertenor på podiet"

OD Travel

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

November 3, 1995: Carreras/Caballe in Oslo

1995-11-03 Opera Gala, Oslo Spektrum

Josep Carreras, tenor
Montserrat Caballé, soprano
Norwegian Radio Orchestra
David Giménez, conductor

01. IL BARBIERE IN SIVIGLIA - Ouverture / Kringkastingsorkesteret, David Gimenez
02. TOSTI: Apri / José Carreras
03. Vieni sul mal / José Carreras
04. HERODIADE - Il est doux, il est bon / Montserrat Caballé
05. L'AFRICANA - Mi batte il cor / José Carreras
06. CIRO IN BABILONIA - Vorrei veder lo sposo / Montserrat Caballé
07. LA FORZA DEL DESTINO - Ouverture / Kringkastingsorkesteret, David Gimenez
08. LA TRAVIATA - Brindisi / Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras
09. CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA - Intermezzo / Kringkastingsorkesteret, David Gimenez
10. ADRIANA LECOUVREUR - Io son l'umile ancella / Montserrat Caballé
11. Coren'grato / José Carreras
12. Musica Proibita / José Carreras
13. Me llaman la primarosa / Montserrat Caballé
14. EL ULTIMO ROMANTICO - Bella enamorada / José Carreras
15. LA BODA DE LUIS ALONSO / Kringkastingsorkesteret, David Gimenez
16. EL DUO DE LA AFRICANA / Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras
17. Granada / José Carreras
18. GIANNI SCHICCHI - O mio babbino caro / Montserrat Caballé
19. O sole mio / José Carreras
20. La Paloma / Montserrat Caballé
21. DIE LUSTIGE WITWE - Lippen schweigen / Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras

5 extras

Radio NRK P2
Carreras/Caballe first concert together in Scandinavia.
It was wonderful to see them dancing a bit to Lippen Schweigen.

OD Travel

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

October 25, 1998: Fedora in Zurich

1998-10-25 Fedora (Giordano), Opernhaus Zurich

Fedora Romazoff = Agnes Baltsa
Loris Ipanoff = Josep Carreras
De Siriex = Philippe Duminy
Olga Sukareff = Sona Ghazarian
Boleslao Lazinski = Thomas Grabowski
Dr. Boroff = Rolf Haunstein
Baron Rouvel = Emilio Ruggiero
Grech = Giuseppe Scorsin
Cirillo = Rudolf A. Hartmann
Désiré = Miroslav Christoff
Nicolas = Arno Weinländer
Sergio = Peter Kálmán
Dimitri = Judith Schmid
Dr. Lorek = Damon Nestor Ploumis

David Gimenez, conductor

1.act : A room in Vladimir's house in St. Petersburg. The servants drinking, and playing cards. Then the great Fedora (Baltsa) come in. This was so special, that I got tears in my eyes. Never experience something quite like this. Great acting-singing everyone. Great Cirillo.

2. act : Fedora's house in Paris. Ballroom. A great ballroom, nice dresses. When Carreras came into the stage, my heart almost stopped. So good-looking, in god form. Singing like a god. Baltsa was great, but she was overwhelmed by Carreras. Amor ti vieta, was a dream. The high-charge duets, was gorgeous.

3. act : Love-nest in Switzerland. A great act, with overwhelming duets.
Never was Fedora's death so moving.

Musikalische LeitungDAVID GIMÉNEZ
InszenierungGRISCHA ASAGAROFF
BühnenbildANDRZEJ MAJEWSKI
KostümeJAN SKALlCKV
BeleuchtungJAKOB SCHLOSSSTEIN
ChorJÜRG HÄMMERLl


Bedienstete, Ballgäste
und PolizeiagentenANNA-MARIA JOURVELIN*O,
JENNIFER M. CHUNG*o, KARIN FRIDH*o,
CHRISTA RATZENBÖCK*o,
.,FRANCISCA BEAUMONT*o, SIMON JAUNIN*o,
DANIEL DIMITROV*o, ANDREW COSTELLO*o,
KENNETH ROBERSON*o, ARNO WEINLÄNDER*o
STATISTENVEREIN AM OPERNHAUS ZÜRICH
Ein SavoyardeJUDITH SCHMID*
Chor der BäuerinnenZUSATZCHOR OPERNHAUS ZÜRICH
* Rollendebüt
0 Mitglied des Internationalen Opernstudios
ORCHESTER DER OPER ZÜRICH
,Sonntag, 25. Oktober 1998Wiederaufnahme, Freier Verkauf
Pausen nach dem 1. und 2. Akt
Beginn: 20.00 Uhr

And after a fantastic evening at the opera.
Signierstunde in the Opera Foyer.


OD Travel + Photos

October 14, 2011: Gala with Jose Carreras in Vienna

2011-10-14 Gala-Abend mit Startenor Jose Carreras, Konzerthaus Wien

Josep Carreras, tenor
Sylvia Schwartz, soprano

David Gimenez, conductor
Orchester der Volksoper Wien

It was Spanish zarzuela and Italian songs. Carreras started softly with Cancion Hungara from Alma de Dios in the first part and ended the second part with full power in Coren'grato. Sylvia Schwartz is a young soprano with a nice voice. She was most impressive when she sang duets with Carreras, especially in El Duo de la Africana. She got to sing some of the best soprano arias from zarzuela and operette, still I was often left cold. The Guiditta aria in the extras was her best. Carreras sang with his soul and mine responded. David Gimenez was a wonderful conductor. Neither singer nor conductor had their notes in front of them, only the orchestra had notes. That was impressive. The orchestra responded well to David Gimenez.

1 El Sombrero de Tres Picos - Danza final 6:21 Conductor David Gimenez
Falla, Manuel de (1878 - 1946)

2 ALMA DE DIOS - Cancion Hungara 4:40 José Carreras
Serrano, José (1873 - 1941)

3 EL NINO JUDIO - De Espana vengo 5:25 Sylvia Schwartz
Luna, Pablo (1879 - 1942)

4Festeig2:49José Carreras
Toldra, Eduard (1895 - 1962)

5Canco de Grumet 2:17 José Carreras
Toldra, Eduard (1895 - 1962)

6 LA BODA DE LUIS ALONSO - Intermedio 5:52 Conductor David Gimenez
Jiménez, José Alfredo (1926 - 1973)

7LA DEL SOTO DE PARRAL - Ya mis horas felices 4:44 José Carreras
Soutullo, Reveriano (1880 - 1932) y Vert, Juan (1890 - 1931)

8 EL BARBERO DE SEVILLA - Me llaman la Primarosa 4:23 Sylvia Schwartz
Jiménez, José Alfredo (1926 - 1973)

9 EL DUO DE LA AFRICANA - Duo y Jota 5:55 Sylvia Schwartz, José Carreras
Fernández Caballero, Manuel (1835 - 1906)

INTERVAL

10 Era de Maggio 2:50 José Carreras
Costa, Pasquale Mario (1858 -1933)

11La Serenata 3:03 José Carreras
Tosti, Francesco Paolo (1846 – 1916)

12 Il Bacio 2:53 Sylvia Schwartz
Arditi, Luigi (1822 – 1903)

13Passione 3:22 José Carreras
Valente, Nicola (1853 - 1939)

14 Tu ca nun chiagne 2:35 José Carreras
de Curtis, Ernesto (1875 - 1937)

15 L'AMICO FRITZ - Intermezzo 4:46 Conductor David Gimenez
MASCAGNI, Pietro (1863 - 1945)

16 Non ti scordar di me 3:09 José Carreras, Sylvia Schwartz
de Curtis, Ernesto (1875 - 1937)

17Les filles de Cadiz 3:35 Sylvia Schwartz
Delibes, Leo (1836 - 1891)

18 Coren'grato 3:09 José Carreras
Cardillo, Salvatore (1874 – 1947)

EXTRA NUMBERS

19 Chitarra Romana 2:17 José Carreras

20 GIANNI SCHICCHI - O mio babbino caro 2:48 Sylvia Schwartz
PUCCINI, Giacomo (1858 - 1924)

21 Extra JC 2:46 José Carreras

22 GIUDITTA - Meine Lippen sie küssen so heiss 5:26 Sylvia Schwartz
Lehar, Franz (1870 - 1948)

23 LA TRAVIATA - Libiamo ne' lieti calici 3:07 José Carreras, Sylvia Schwartz
VERDI, Giuseppe (1813 - 1901)

OD Travel + Photos
Original blog post + program


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

September 22, 2001: Josep Carreras in Stavanger

2001-09-22 Recital, Stavanger Konserthus

Josep Carreras, tenor
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano



Program:

"Dolente immagine" (Bellini)
"Luna nova" (Costa)
"Era de Maggio" (Costa)

"Si tu m'aimes" (Denza)
"Vieni" (Denza)

"Chanson d l'adieu" (Tosti)
"Non t'amo piú" (Tosti)
"Because" (Tosti)

Pause

"Alfonsina y el mar" (Ramirez)
"Andaluza" (Granados)

"Déclaration" (Leoncavallo)
"Chanson des yeux" (Leoncavallo)
"Sérénade Napolitaine (Leoncavallo)

"Serenata" (Toselli)
"Vurria..." (Rendine)
"Musica Proibita" (Gastaldon)

Extras
"T'estimo" (Edvard Grieg)
Napoletan Song?

Josep Carreras with silver-shoes in Stavanger

With silver-shoes in Stavanger, he came, the great Carreras. The concert hall was full, and the applause was rapturous. But still for unknown reasons only two extra numbers for Stavanger. Suddenly the whole audience was at its way out, a little more patience and surely another song with his silvery voice would have been ours. But complain after such a great night with such artistry. He came and wan us all with his passion and great artistry. Stavanger had spared nothing to give the best. The best possible instrument for Bavaj, free programs and big posters for the audience. The champagne was not free, but there is a limit to all. How to compare two concerts, the only difference was the extras. We all loved him singing Grieg's T'estimo and the wonderful, wonderful song that he gave us. We all gasped wanted to know what song is it. I don't know.... But I do know that it was an absolutely wonderful concert. With a man whose voice people say have faded, it is true... does it matter. It was so great and how wonderful that they have wanted to give it all to give the people of Stavanger the best singers and artists to visit them.

And when it, too soon, was time to go home, I was so lucky to find the artists entrance almost in the instant that Carreras and Bavaj came out. I almost had a handshake with Carreras, but he was sitting down into the car. I took a photo of Carreras and one of Bavaj. Lorenzo Bavaj was thankful, it seem, that I took a picture of him too. What a gracious man he is. Carreras, too, of course. But to play second fiddle is a more difficult task and only a great man can play the graciously. So thank you, Carreras and Bavaj for a lovely evening!!!

OD Travel

September 20, 2001: Josep Carreras in Oslo

2001-09-20 Recital, Oslo Konserthus

Josep Carreras, tenor
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano



Josep Carreras, Oslo Konserthus
20.9.2001 19:30
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano
Konserthus-serien (Pdf)

Program:

"Dolente immagine" (Bellini)
"Luna nova" (Costa)
"Era de Maggio" (Costa)

"Si tu m'aimes" (Denza)
"Vieni" (Denza)

"Chanson d l'adieu" (Tosti)
"Non t'amo piú" (Tosti)
"Because" (Tosti)

Pause

"Alfonsina y el mar" (Ramirez)
"Andaluza" (Granados)

"Déclaration" (Leoncavallo)
"Chanson des yeux" (Leoncavallo)
"Sérénade Napolitaine (Leoncavallo)

"Serenata" (Toselli)
"Vurria..." (Rendine)
"Musica Proibita" (Gastaldon)

Extras
"T'estimo" (Edvard Grieg)
"Coren'grato" (Cardillo)
"Aranjuez" (Rodrigo)


"T'estimo, Josep"
A Catalan-Norwegian love story in Oslo

I have never been in a concert before where the concert start on the dot. He came out to the stage, looking well and with Lorenzo Bavaj walking behind the tenor. A wonderful beginning with Vincenzo Bellini's "Dolente immagine". But to go directly to Costa from Bellini gave not the right feeling. Bavaj was as good as any orchestra when he accompanied the tenor in Costa's two pearls of medio quality. When going from Costa to Denza, especially in "Si tu m'aimes" the quality was up again, and a little down with "Vieni" although nobody could have given anything more to elevate these pieces up to Bellini's niveau, they were not ment to be elevated to such heights. Bavaj had a difficult task since the piano was not used to such high-quality performers, and its sound was always soft, no passion could be beaten out of it. When Tosti came be sung, it was again the highest class, the song of farewell was never so touching and "Non t'amo piú" came and was sending the listeners to the seventh heaven. There was true passion. But the last song was "Because", and personally and I regret this very much I did not so enjoy that. But then it was not the end, the second part would come after this.

Pause: I saw Bjørn Simonsen there, the chief of The Norwegian Opera (DNO).

Second part started with "Alfonsina y el Mar" . In the program it was saying Louie Ramirez was the composer, but it is Ariel Ramirez...? Well, splendid it was whichever composer. I loved it. And how wonderful to hear him sing Andaluza by Granados. Pure passion indeed. Leoncavallo's three jewels was another high delight. Toselli's Serenata, oh my heart, who would not fall in love at hearing this serenade, and sung like a god (probably the god called Amor), Rendine "Vurria..." and Musica Proibita by Gastaldon. Which of the latter three should I have chosen if I had to chose just one.

Surely, the people of Norway and Oslo was absolutely extactic that he had come. A happy audience, to hear and to our hearts delight he first encore was "T'estimo" by Edvard Grieg. Grieg, a Norwegian composer, national composer and in Carreras mother-tongue the Catalan, a magic encounter. And that Carreras would sing Coren'grato was like, we felt he was telling that he had had a special audience in us. And "Aranjuez" too, word cannot tell how happy and lucky we all felt.

Then, the end. The recital is over. Sad, and yet so many new and happy memories he gave us.

Oh, Señor Carreras, come back to Oslo soon!

T'estimo, Carreras! Jeg elsker dig!

OD Travel

September 15, 2013: Konzertmatinee Josep Carreras in Vienna

2013-09-15 Konzertmatinee Jose Carreras, Wiener Staatsoper

Josep Carreras, tenor
Anita Hartig, soprano
Margarita Gritskova, mezzo
Adam Plachetka, baritone

David Gimenez, conductor
Orchester der Sommerakademie der Wiener Philharmoniker

PROGRAMM

La gazza ladra – Overture | Gioachino Rossini

Te voglio bene assaje | Gaetano Donizetti
José Carreras

Nel giardin’ sotto il tiglio | Franz Schreker
José Carreras

Il barbiere di Siviglia – Una voce poco fa | Gioachino Rossini
Margarita Gritskova

Don Giovanni - La ci darem la mano | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Anita Hartig, Adam Plachetka

Le nozze di Figaro – Vedrò, mentr’io sospiro | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Adam Plachetka

Terra e mare | Giacomo Puccini
José Carreras

Sole e amore | Giacomo Puccini
José Carreras

Faust – Oh Dieu que de bijoux | Charles Gounod
Anita Hartig

Je te veux | Erik Satie
José Carreras, Anita Hartig

T’estimo | Edvard Grieg
José Carreras

Pause

El eco de tu voz | Isaac Albéniz
José Carreras

La Linda Tapada – Canción del gitano | Francisco Alonso
José Carreras

Les filles de Cadix | Léo Delibes
Anita Hartig

Sogno | Francesco P. Tosti
Adam Plachetka

Pecchè | Francesco Pennino
José Carreras

Vierno | Vincenzo Acampora
José Carreras

Carmen – Seguidille | Georges Bizet
Margarita Gritskova

El Dúo de la Africana – Dúo y Jota | Manuel F. Caballero
José Carreras, Anita Hartig

Core n’grato | Salvatore Cardillo
José Carreras

2013-09-15 Carreras and friends in Wiener Staatsoper.

Of course the MatinéKonzert with Josep Carreras and Friends was something different than Otello with  José Cura. For 6 Euro what can you get? Balcony seat high, high up where you cannot see the whole "stage". Tragically I was on the wrong side. This time left was wrong. I could only see Carreras by leaning out. So I sat and saw him seldom. But I could hear. It was a wonderful concert and I hope it brought a lot of money for the Carreras foundation to fight Leukemia. www.fcarreras.org

That was 11 to 1330 and then I waited for Carreras, And then I gave it up. But I did get photo of the conductor David Gimenez Carreras.

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

September 1, 1995: Herodiade in Vienna

1995-09-01 Herodiade (Jules Massenet), Wiener Staatsoper

Jean = Josep Carreras*, tenor
Hérode = Juan Pons
Hérodiade, seine Gattin = Dolora Zajick
Salomé, ihre Tochter = Eliane Coelho
Phanuel = Ferruccio Furlanetto
Vitellius, römischer Feldherr = Istvan Gati*
Oberpriester = David Cale Johnson
Eine Stimme = Ruben Broitman

Marcello Viotti, conductor
Szenische Konzeption und Gestaltung - Richard Bletschacher, Hermann Nitsch
Bühnenbild und Kostüme - Hermann Nitsch
Chorleitung - Dietrich D. Gerpheide


Freitag, 1. September 1995 STAATSOPER
9 Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung

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

Musikalische Leitung Marcello Viotti
Szenische Konzeption
und Gestaltung Richard Bletschacher,
Hermann Nitsch
Bühnenbild und Kostüme Hermann Nitsch
Chorleitung Dietrich D. Gerpheide


Kaufleute, Palastwachen,
jüdische und römische Soldaten,
Priester und Volk
Tempeltänzerinnen und
Schwerttänzer Corps de ballet

Balletteleven der Österreichischen Bundestheater
Bühnenorchester der Österreichischen Bundestheater

Die Handlung spielt im Jahre 27 n. Chr. in Jerusalem

* Rollendebüt an der Wiener Staatsoper


This is a wonderful opera. The music of Massenet is just so beautiful, very musical. And this is a happier Salome opera than Richard Strauss, where Salome is a strange girl. In Massenet's opera is no longer teen-age, she certainly is not mad, she has lost her mother, is looking for her mother in Jerusalem, and Jean is the prophet she loves and that she follows. The other big differences is that Jean is a tenor role, and not baritone as in Strauss (Jochaanan). And Jose Carreras has found another perfect role.

In Strauss Herode(s) is also lusting for Salome, but in Massenet he doesn't know that Salome is Herodias (Herodiade)s daughter. Herodiade is missing her daughter who she left behind when she followed Herode. When Phanuel tells her that Salome is her daughter, her jalousie gets the better of her.

Massenet's Jean (John the Baptist) is a man who first denies the love he feels towards Salome, but in the end when execution awaits him, accepts this love as something God has given him.

The wonderful cast that heads with Jose Carreras as Jean, Juan Pons as Herode, and Ferruccio Furlanetto as Phanuel, and that have Eliane Coelho as Salome, and Dolora Zaijck as Herodiade, makes it really great night at the opera. My Favorite Tenor, My Favorite Baritone and My Favorite Bass is do their parts so well. Eliane Coelho makes Salome very enjoyable, and Dolora Zaijck is a great mezzo.

OD Travel

August 22, 1997: Opera Gala in Hamburg

1997-08-22 Hamburger Operngala, Rathausplatz

Agnes Baltsa, mezzo
Josep Carreras, tenor
Isabel Rey, soprano

David Gimenez, conductor



PROGRAM
1. Mozart : Le Nozze di Figaro
2. Tosti: Marechiare JC
3. Tosti: Vieni sul mar JC
4. Le Nozze di Figaro- Voi che sapete AB
5. L'Italiana in Algeri - Pensi alla Patria AB
6. L'Arlesiana - E la solita storia JC
7. Cavalleria Rusticana - Voi che sapete AB
8. Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo
9. Cavalleria Rusticana - Tu qui, Santuzza ABJC


2100-2125
1. Las Bodas de Luis Alonso
2. Me llaman la prima rosa IR
3. Granada JC
4. El duo de la Africana IRJC
5: Carmen - Habanera AB
6. Coren'grato JC
7. O mio babbino caro AB
8. Dein ist mein ganzes Herz JC
9. Die Lustige Witwe - Lippen schweigen ABJC



EXTRA
1. Isabel Rey, koloraturarie
2. Agnes Baltsa, Seguedilla
3. Jose Carreras, O sole mio
4. Baltsa, Carreras, Rey LA TRAVIATA - Brindisi
5. Jose Carreras; O sole mio


Fantastic concert. It was rainy and even some thunder in the second half of the concert.


The concert at Rathausmarkt "Operngala"

18.10. I were at the Rathausmarkt, bought my program, and found my
seat. One could buy Danish dish, a Japanese sushi dish, drink
champagne (of course it wasn't cheap, but almost stylish). I was just
drinking from my bottle of cola-light (big bottle). Not so stylish,
but cheaper!!!

at 20.00

The concert begins, a big applause to the conductor, no, it was
director of the Hamburger Opernwoche. He talks for a short while, then
he gave the word someone import in Hamburg. She talk for a long time,
it seemed. (But in real time the two talked for 10 minutes).

But then David Giménez, came young and fresh and full of energy on the
stage, and we could hear:

Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro- Ouverture
Splendid delivery of an opera pearl.

J o s e C a r r e r a s came, at everything seemed a l i v e

Tosti: M a r e c h i a r e
Carreras was great, his voice seemed to have been darkening, it had an
almost baritonal flavor. V i e n i s u l m a r


A g n e s B a l t s a

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro_-V o i c h e s a p e t e

I still gets tears in my eyes when I think of that performance, never
was the aria sung so .... (my words fails me)

Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri - P e n s a a l l a p a t r i a

She always sings this aria like a goddess. Always when you hear and see
Agnes Baltsa, one is reminded that she can't separate the aria from
the acting, the role, unlike so many other singers, who when it is
concert they don't act.

J o s e C a r r e r a s

Cilea: L'arlesiana _ E l a s o l i t a s t o r i a

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A g n e s B a l t s a

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana - V o i l o s a p e t e , o
m a m m a

Intermezzo (orchestra)

A g n e s B a l t s a & J o s e C a r r e r a s

T u q u i , S a n t u z z a

Great, great, great

End of part 1
----------------------------------------------------------------- Part
2 of the concert.

Resounding in my head was the duet from Cavalleria Rusticana. Nobody
can sing Santuzza like Baltsa, no one can be a better Turriddu than
Carreras. But thinking about it, now, I don't know whether Carreras
has ever sung Turriddu on stage in a opera performance.

It was a 25 minutes break between the two parts of the concert

Agnes Baltsa was wearing a dress, white on the top, and fluffy on the
arms, and the long skirt was black. To get an idea, see:
Baltsa picture.

Isabel Rey was wearing a "turkise" dress. (bleu with green flavor)

Than at 21.25 the concert commences:

Alonso: Las Bodas de Luis Alonso-Intermedio

I s a b e l R e y

Alonso: El Barberillo de Lavapies _ M e l l a m a n l a
p r i m a r o s a
What a joy to hear her fresh and highly individual voice, she doesn't
sound like Caballé, Victoria de los Angeles or Pilar Lorengar, but she
is definitely in their league. A new great Spanish soprano. She have
studied under Montserrat Caballé and Alfredo Kraus, so the program
says.

J o s e C a r r e r a s

Lara: G r a n a d a

naturally the audience goes wild (in the heart, more than action,
maybe it was to hot in Hamburg, I don't know)

C a r r e r a s & R e y

Caballero: EL DUO DE LA AFRICANA

They are acting, they are singing, it is FANTASTIC!!!!!!

A g n e s B a l t s a

Bizet: CARMEN - H a b a n e r a

Great, yes, yes, yes I want to see her as Carmen live on stage
no matter what it costs. How can I say that I have seen Carmen onstage
when she was not the Carmen

J o s e C a r r e r a s

Cardillo: C o r e n ' g r a t o

Jose is just great.

A g n e s B a l t s a

Surprise of the evening:
Puccini:Gianni Schicchi O m i o b a b b i n o c a r o

A mezzo singing one of the great showpiece aria for any young soprano
(like Isabel Rey). With Agnes Baltsa the aria goes further than just
show-piece than just comedy. She gives the aria an touch of tragedy
after all, the soprano is begging her father of getting to marry her
love, if he says no, she will jump into the river Arno.

Wonderfully sung, she ends with a pianissimo.
It is touching, the not so young mezzo, gives away a young woman's
true heart

J o s e C a r r e r a s

Lehar: The land of smiles D e i n i s t m e i n g a n z e s
H e r z

Nobody, even with a better German pronunciation could have sung the
aria better.

B a l t s a & C a r r e r a s

Lehàr Die Lustige Witwe L i p p e n s c h w e i g e n

Great duet from de Merry Widow. one disappointment: Agnes wanted to
waltz, he didn't. But still Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!

Extras:

Jose Carreras being the perfect gentleman arranges that I s a b e l
R e y will sing the first extra. He decides which aria she will
sing, gets her laughing yes, and indicating that she knows that aria
perfectly. But I don't .

A g n e s B a l t s a

Bizet: Carmen: S e g u e d i l l a

J o s e C a r r e r a s
O s o l e m i o (or T o r n a a S u r r i e n t o).

Photographs being taking at the same time as we see the heavenly
blitz. Jose loses no nerve.

B a l t s a , C a r r e r a s & R e y

Verdi: La Traviata - B r i n d i s i
Pure heaven

J o s e C a r r e r a s

O s o l e m i o
It was a pure demonstration of strength.

OD Travel

August 3, 1996: The 3 tenors in Munich

1996-08-03 The 3 tenors, Olympia Stadium (Munich)

Josep Carreras, tenor
Placido Domingo, tenor
Luciano Pavarotti, tenor
Philharmonia Orchestra
James Levine, conductor

From tenorissimo.
MUNICH Olympia Stadium, August 3, 1996
Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor James Levine
on tv

Solos:

Carreras: Musica proibita (Gastaldon), Lamento di Federico (È la solita storia del pastore) from Cilea's 'L'Arlesiana', Granada (Lara), Improvviso (Un dì all'azzurro spazio) from Giordano's Andrea Chenier

Domingo: No puede ser from Sorozabal's 'La Tabernera del Puerto', O souverain, o juge, o père from Massenet's 'Le Cid', Dein ist mein ganzes Herz from Lehar's 'Das Land des Lächelns', E lucevan le stelle from Puccini's 'Tosca'

Pavarotti: La mia canzone al vento (Bixio/Mancini), Addio alla madre (Mamma, quel vino è generoso) from Mascagni's 'Cavalleria Rusticana', Mamma (Bixio/Mancini), Nessun dorma from Puccini's 'Turandot'

Together:
Medley I: Because, La Danza, Be my love, Marechiare, Muñequita linda, Torna a Surriento

Medley II: Maria, Tonight, Ò paese d'ò sole, Cielito lindo, Moon River, Caminito, Mattinata, Amapola, O sole mio

Encores: La donna è mobile, O sole mio

UPDATE 2009-08-07:
I remember it was raining and some people used umbrellas. People were encouraged to use raincoats and such instead in interest in other who wanted to use not just hear The 3 Tenors. I was disappointed to hear just the same songs and arias as in Gothenburg especially since they had said in documentary of earlier 3 Tenors' concert that with their vast repertory they could have had 10 concerts in a row and not repeat a single song. But that was a naïve dream. I should have known better.

My seat was not a very good one so without the big screens I would have seen virtually nothing. My parents sat outside the arena in pouring rain and enoyed the sounds from the arena. I was the only one with tickets. More about how I got the tickets and such is forgotten...

OD Travel

July 26, 1996: The 3 tenors in Gothenburg, Sweden

1996-07-26 The 3 tenors, Ullevi Stadium (Gothenburg)

Josep Carreras, tenor
Placido Domingo, tenor
Luciano Pavarotti, tenor
Philharmonia Orchestra

James Levine, conductor

From tenorissimo.com
GOTHENBURG Ullevi Stadium, July 26, 1996
Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor James Levine
on tv

Solos:

Carreras: Lamento di Federico (È la solita storia del pastore) from Cilea's 'L'Arlesiana', Improvviso (Un dì all'azzurro spazio) from Giordano's 'Andrea Chenier', Granada (Lara)

Domingo: O souverain, o juge, o père from Massenet's 'Le Cid', No puede ser from Sorozabal's 'La Tabernera del Puerto', Dein ist mein ganzes Herz from Lehar's 'Das Land des Lächelns', E lucevan le stelle von Puccini's 'Tosca'

Pavarotti: Addio alla madre (Mamma, quel vino è generoso) from Mascagni's 'Cavalleria Rusticana', La mia canzone al vento (Bixio/Mancini), Mamma (Bixio/Mancini), Nessun dorma from Puccini's 'Turandot'

Together:
Medley I: Because, La danza, Be my love, Marechiare, Muñequita linda, Torna a Surriento

Medley II: Maria, Tonight, Ò paese d'ò sole, Cielito lindo, Moon River, Caminito, Mattinata, Amapola, O sole mio

Encores: La donna è mobile, Torna a Surriento, O sole mio

OD Travel

July 23, 2014: Josep Carreras in Dalhalla, Sweden

2014-07-23 The Legendary Tenor José Carreras, Dalhalla, Sweden 

José Carreras, tenor
Simge Büyükedes, soprano

Stockholm Concert Orchestra

David Giménez, conductor

THE LEGENDARY TENOR JOSÉ CARRERAS

On July 23rd, 2014 is it exactly 20 years since Birgit Nilsson opened the first Dalhalla festival with her concert. So this is the Jubilee Concert for Dalhalla. Josep Carreras was chosen to do the special Jubilee Concert as he is now a legend himself. Many years ago he sang with Birgit Nilsson in Tosca (in the US) and she refered to him as "her baby Cavaradossi".

Simge Büyükedes was the unknown quantity in this concert and she was the one who sang opera arias in the concert, the famous ones from Rusalka and La Wally. She was born in Istanbul, Turkey. A wonderful soprano voice that is like velvet. The weather that had threatened the concert with thunders, lightnings and heavy rains that luckily stopped in time of the concert begin at 2100 might have had an effect on her voice as it in the second half seemed to loose some of the strength. A slight cold could be hard on the voice. Josep Carreras was as he is nowadays a strong voice but not so subtle as when he was younger, no wonder when the man is over 67 years old. Nevertheless this was a party of well song canciones, musical tunes, zarzuela and opera arias. The Majesties of Sweden was there. And there were encores and Bravos and Bravas. The man holding it all together was David Gimenez conducting STockholm Concert Orchestra.


PROGRAM
1
1. Verdi: NABUCCO - Ouverture (Orchestra)
2. Donizetti: Te voglio bene Assaje (Carreras)
3. Tosti: L'ultima canzone (Carreras)
4. Dvorak: RUSALKA - Song to the Moon (Büyükede)
5. Albeniz: El eco de tu voz (Carreras)
6. Rubas: Rosó - pel teu amor (Carreras)
7. LA WALLY - Ebben ne andro lontana (Büyükede)
8. Bizet: L'Arlesienne suite - Farandole (Orchestra)
9. Leigh: THE MAN OF LA MACHA - The Impossible Dream (Carreras)

2
10. Rendine: Vurria (Carreras)
11. Valente: Passione (Carreras)
12. Delibes: Les filles de Cadiz (Büyükede)
13. Satie: Je te veux (Carreras & Büyükede)
14. Jimenez: LA BODA DE LUIS ALONSO - Intermedio (Orchestra)
15. Barbieri: EL BARBERILLO DE LAVAPIES  - Cancion de Paloma (Büyükede)
16. Caballero: EL DUO DE LA  AFRICANA - Duo y Jota (Carreras & Büyükede)
17. Cardillo: Core n'grato (Carreras)

ENCORES

1. Gitarra Romana (Carreras)
2.  I Could Have Danced All NIght (Büyükede)
3. Non ti scordar di me (Carreras & Büyükede)
4. Torna a Surriento (Carreras)

5. Libiamo ne lieti calici (Carreras & Büyükede)

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 23, 1995: Josep Carreras in Aarhus, Denmark

1995-07- 23 Opera Galla, Århus idrætspark

Sissel Kyrkjebø, singer
Ilona Tokody, soprano
Josep Carreras, tenor

David Gimenez, conductor

SISSEL KYRKJEBØ I FRILUFTSKONSERT MED JOSE CARRERAS

Århus (NTB-RB): Sissel Kyrkjebø deltok sammen med verdensstjernene Jose Carreras fra Spania og Ilona Tokody fra Ungarn på en operagalla i Århus søndag kveld. Dronning Margrethe og flere tusen tilhørere var til stede under friluftskonserten i Århus Idrætspark. Sissel innledet forestillingen med blant annet Griegs "Solveigs sang", "Summertime" fra Gershwins opera "Porgy and Bess" og "Climb every mountain" fra musicalen "Sound of Music".

Vel er vår sangfugl gift med en danske og populær i Danmark, men de fleste tilhørerne som hadde rigget seg til med tepper, vin og kaffekanner i den litt kjølige Århuskvelden, var nok først og fremst kommet for å høre den spanske supertenoren Carreras.

Ikke mindre enn fem ekstranumre måtte de tre sangerne gi. Carreras måtte nok holde sin store stemme litt igjen under det aller siste nummeret sammen med de to kvinnelige solistene, vennsskapssangen fra OL i Barcelona 1992.

Idrætsparkens 75-års jubileumsfest ble avsluttet med et overdådig fyrverkeri.

OD Travel + Photos

July 3, 1992: Josep Carreras in Innsbruck

1992-07-03 Recital Jose Carreras, Kongresshaus Innsbruck

Josep Carreras, tenor
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano

ALESSANDRO SCARLATT Già il sole dal Gange
(1660 Palermo - 1725 Neapel) (Schon die Sonne am Ganges)

TOMMASO GIORDANI Caro mio ben
(um 1730 Neapel - 1806 Dublin) (Mein geliebtes Gut)

ALESSANDRO STRADELLA Pietà, Signore
(1642 Modena - 1682 Genua) (Erbarmen, Herr)

GIOACCHINO ROSSINI Valse lugubre (Piano solo)
(1792 Pesaro -
1868 Passy bei Paris)

SIR FRANCESCO PAOLO TOSTI Apri (Offne ...
(1846 Ortona - 1916 Rom) Vorrei morire (Ich mdchte sterben) L'ultima canzone (Das letzte Lied)
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Milonga del angel (Piano solo)
(* 1921 Prov. Buenos Aires)

FERNANDO J. OBRADORS Del cabello mas sutil
(1897 - 1945) (Von feinstem Haar)

TATA NACHO Tengo nostalgia de ti
(1894 - 1963) (Ich habe Sehnsucht nach dir)
lntima (Innigste ... )

SALVATORE CARDILLO Core ngrato (Undankbares Herz) (1874 - 1947)

GRANADA

During a holiday in St. Johann in Tirol (Austria), after Vipiteno and shopping, we came to Innsbruck to our way back to St. Johann. I noticed some posters with Jose Carreras face on. With my camera I took a snapshot, and thought that would be it. Later on I saw more big posters, with the name of the venue, and decided to get a program or something, so I went to Komgresshaus Innsbruck, I asked also if there were any tickets left. AND IT WAS. 1000 Austrian Schilling, that I didn't have, rushed back to my parents, and then I got a ticket, and I had to take the train to St. Johann. Wonderful seat, wonderful concert. SOMETIMES one gets LUCKY!!!

July 3/1992
Kongresshaus Innsbruck
Jose Carreras, tenor
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano

OD Travel

July 2, 2012: Jose Carreras in Zurich

2012-07-02 Liederabend Jose Carreras, Opernhaus Zurich

Josep Carreras, tenor
Lorenzo Bavaj, piano

PROGRAM
1. Pieta, Signore (Louis Niedermeyer 1802-1861)
2. Il cardellino (Saverio Mercadante 1795-1870)

3. Dolente immagine (Vincenzo Bellini 1801-1835)
4. Malinconia, ninfa gentile (Vincenzo Bellini 1801-1835)

5. Valse Lugubre (Gioacchino Rossini 1792 - 1868)

6. Malia (Francesco Paolo Tosti 1846-1916)
7. Segreto (Francesco Paolo Tosti 1846-1916)
8. L'ultima canzone (Francesco Paolo Tosti 1846-1916)

9. Chanson des yeux (Ruggero Leoncavallo 1857-1919)
10. Serenade Napolitaine (Ruggero Leoncavallo 1857-1919)

Pause

11. Cancion al arbol del olvido (Alberto Ginastera 1916-1963)
12. La rosa y el sauce (Carlos Guatavino 1912-2000)

13. Milonga del Angel (Astor Piazzolla 1921-1992)

14. Del cabello mas sutil (Fernando J. Obradors 1897-1945)
15. L'oroneta (Enric Morera 1865-1942)
16. Intima (Tata Nacho 1894-1968)

17. Muerte del Angel (Astor Piazzolla 1921-1992)

18.  'E rrose e tu (Furio Rendine 1920-1967)
19. Passione (Nicola Valente 1881-1946 and Ernesto Tagliaferri 1889-1937)
20. Vurria (Furio Rendine 1920-1967)


EXTRA NUMBERS
21. Coren'grato by Salvatore Cardillo
22. Dicitencello vuie by Rodolfo Falvo
23. Anema e core by Salvatore d'Esposito
24. Un umbra by Richard Adinsell

STANDING OVATION FOR CARRERAS IN ZURICH 2012-07-02

Opernhaus Zurich was full of people waiting for Carreras to win them over. And he did win. So in the end it was "never-ending" applause and then Standing Ovation.  No Granada or L'emigrant as extra number but still, 4  extra numbers.

Carreras and Lorenzo Bavaj, the pianist, has worked together many times before. Lorenzo Bavaj played 3 piano pieces that showed him as a master pianist. With Carreras he is the loving and knowing accompanist.

During his first song, the prayer Pieta Signore, Carreras had to cough once. If I remember it right his was the only cough during the whole recital. At every 2 or 3 songs Carreras went inside for his glass of water (I believe that is his habit). Refreshed he came out to sing more. At this point of his carreer Carreras is mostly competing against himself and his own CDs. Pieta Signore sadly or happily served as his warming up piece and from there it was only getting better. From the first half I loved especially the songs of Bellini, they are favorites of mine, and Carreras sings them so well.  From the second half I loved most the Spanish songs, El Arbol del Olvido, La Rosa y El Sauce and naturally, Del cabello mas sutil. I am not saying that L'oroneta or Intimo was not great, they were marvellous.

The extra numbers was great. Coren'grato was not a surprise as extra numbers and it is a song loved by Carreras and by the audience. Dicitencello vuie is a beautful song and we loved that too. Anema e core was a suprise and a happy one. Then came the song from the Pure Passion CD  which I thought must be Tsjaikovsky but it was Richard Adinsell.

BRAVO, CARRERAS!!!

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

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 7, 2001: Josep Carreras in London

2001-06-07 Jose Carreras Concert, Hampton Court (London)

Josep Carreras, tenor
English Chamber Orchestra
David Gimenez, conductor

My comments on the concert
I never dreamt I would criticize David Gimenez conducting, but I found the overture of Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gipsy Baron) lacking in the description of the Hungarian gipsy liveliness, but better in the Viennese waltz parts.

Jose Carreras looked very well when he sang the two songs of Costa, but I did find either his interpretation or the composition lacking in something that could draw me into the magic. The zarzuela aria from Alma de Dios was a great pleasure. But I found Mr Gimenez conducting a little bit disturbing. This aria if given more pace would be even more intriguing.

The overture of I Vespri Siciliani is a showstopper, but I have heard greater performances of this overture. My harsh critic of David Gimenez, is derived of my high regard of this young conductor, and therefore any lack is taken more seriously than had it been any other conductor. The best aspect of DG's conducting is as always the clarity he brings to it. Sometimes it work the other way araound, one hears better any "fault".

The 3 Romanze of Giuseppe Verdi; Il Poveretto, Brindisi and L'Esule was the absolute highlight. The opera singer makes every mood in these 3 romances very well. Here is acting and singing in perfect togetherness. Poveretto: the old soldier reduced to beggary, but still proud. Brindisi, getting drunk, giving a toast. L'Esule, the grandest interpretation.

2. half.

What can say, just wonderful the whole part. Especially was the Adagio from Spartacus a treat. And Jose Carreras sang like a god all the songs. + 3 wonderful extras.

7.6.2001
Hampton Court Palace Festival
Josep Carreras, tenor
English Chamber Orchestra
David Gimenez, conductor.


Johann Strauss II
Overture, Der Zigeunerbaron

Mario Paquale Costa
'Luna nova'
'Era de maggio'

Jose Serrano
'Canción hungara' from Alma de Dios

Giuseppe Verdi
Overture, I vespri siciliani
'Il poveretto'
'Brindisi'
'L'Esule'

interval

Paolo Tosti
'Marechiare'

Furio Rendine
'Vurria'

Johann Strauss II
'Unter Donner und Blitz'

Enrico Toselli
'Serenata'

Nicola Valente
'Passione'

Aram Khachaturian
'Adagio' from Spartacus

Rodolfo Falvo
'Guapparia'

Salvatore Cardillo
'Core'ngrato'

3 extra numbers:
1. Musica proibita
2. (Neapolitan Song)
3. All the things you are

OD Travel + Photos