Carmen, Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg 23. May 2010

The XVIII Music Festival “Stars of the White Nights” opened on 21. May 2010. One of the main highlights of the Festival was the performance of Bizet's "Carmen" at the Mariinsky Theater on 23. May 2010, starring Anna Netrebko as Micaela and Massimo Giordano, making his Mariinsky Theater debut, as Don José. The production, with a Don José dressed as a German Nazi officer, was directed by Alexei Stepanyuk. Tugan Sokhiev conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater.

Carmen
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée

XVIII Music Festival “Stars of the White Nights”
Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg 23. May 2010

Production
Stage Director: Alexei Stepanyuk
Set Designer: Igor Grinevich
Lighting Designer: Gleb Filshtinsky
Musical Preparation: Irina Soboleva
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko

Cast
Carmen: Natalia Evstafieva
Don José: Massimo Giordano
Micaela: Anna Netrebko
Escamillo: Edward Tsanga
Frasquita:
Mercedes:
Zúñiga:
Morales:
Remendado:
Dancaire:

Conductor: Tugan Sokhiev
Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater

Videoclips
Videoclip from Mariinsky media

Anna Netrebko will sing in a concert in Toulouse in May 2011

It has been announced today by La Depeche.fr that Anna Netrebko will give a concert of arias by Pergolesi at the Halle aux Grains, Toulouse in May 2011. Anna Netrebko will be accompanied on the stage by the English Chamber Orchestra.

Full details of the programme and tickets will be available on 2. June 2010 at Les Grandes Interprètes.

This concert will take place just a few days after the concert of arias by Pergolesi that Anna Netrebko will give at the Salle Pleyel, Paris on 26. April 2011, also with the English Chamber Orchestra.

Anna Netrebko | 2010-2011 Season

Anna Netrebko will open the 2011-2012 season at the Teatro alla Scala

Anna Netrebko had announced first in an interview published in 2008 in the french magazine Opera, that she would sing the role of Desdemona in Verdi's "Otello" conducted by Daniel Barenboim at the Teatro alla Scala in Milano. She even commented that they had not found yet the Otello for those performances.

Later on I met Anna Netrebko in Wien after the premiere of "Lucia di Lammermoor" on 14. March 2009. Walking on Kartnerstrasse after the performance, some italians asked her if she will go to La Scala. She said yes. When they asked her what she would sing there, I was expecting she would say "Otello", but to my surprise, she said that she would sing the title role of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor". 

A few weeks later, I met Erwin Schrott in front of Anna Netreko's dressing room at the Royal Opera House after the performance of Donizetti's "I Capuleti e I Montecchi" on 11. April 2009. He also said that Anna would sing Lucia at la Scala.

Milano based blogger Opera Chic posted today that Scala GM Stephane Lissner had indicated last year in a newspaper interview that the rumor about Anna singing Lucia at La Scala was true.

But plans change and Opera Chic reports today that Anna Netrebko will open the 2011-2012 season at the Teatro alla Scala, Milano, singing the role of Donna Anna in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" with Erwin Schrott in the title role. The performance will be directed by Robert Carsen and conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

Anna Netrebko made her role debut as Donna Anna in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, on 18. May 2002.

On 27. July 2002, Anna Netrebko sang the role of Donna Anna at the premiere of "Don Giovanni" at the Salzburger Festspiele, with Thomas Hampson in the title role, Michael Schade as Don Ottavio, Melanie Diener as Donna Elvira, Nicola Ulivieri as Leporello, replacing Ildebrando D'Arcangelo who was ill for the premiere, Magdalena Kozena as Zerlina, Luca Pisaroni as Masetto, and Kurt Moll as Il Commendatore. Martin Kusej was the stage director and Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducted the Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor and Wiener Philharmoniker. It was a run of highly succesful outstanding performances, being the first huge success of Anna Netrebko at the Salzburger Festspiele.

Anna Netrebko sang again the same role in the same production of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" at the Salzburger Festspiele in 2003. Thomas Hampson was once again Don Giovanni, Christoph Strehl was Don Ottavio, Melanie Diener was once again Donna Elvira, Ildebrando d’Arcangelo was once again Leporello, Isabel Bayrakdarian was Zerlina, Luca Pisaroni was once again Masetto, and Kurt Moll was Il Commendatore. The conductor was also once again Nikolaus Harnoncourt.

Anna Netrebko made her role debut as Donna Anna at the Royal Opera House on 12. September 2003, with Gerald Finley as Don Giovanni, Ian Bostridge as Don Ottavio, Nuccia Focile as Donna Elvira, Erwin Schrott as Leporello, Rosemary Joshua as Zerlina, Darren Jeffery as Masetto, and Robert Lloyd as Il Commendatore. Francesca Zambello was the stage director and Antonio Pappano conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Anna Netrebko made her role debut as Donna Anna at the Wiener Staatsoper on 6. February 2004, with Michael Volle making his role debut at the opera house as Don Giovanni, Rainer Trost as Don Ottavio, Soile Isokoski as Donna Elvira, Ildebrando d'Arcangelo as Leporello, Sophie Koch as Zerlina, In-Sung Sim as Masetto, and Mikhail Kazakov making his opera house debut as Komtur. Roberto de Simone was the stage director and Seiji Ozawa conducted the Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper.

The fisrt time that Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott were together on stage as Donna Anna and Don Giovanni, respectively, was in a Met tour to Japan at the Hyogo Performing Arts Center of Kobe on 11. Jun 2006. Matthew Polenzani was Don Ottavio, Melanie Diener was Donna Elvira, René Pape was Leporello, Magdalena Kozena was Zerlina, Jonathan Lemalu was Masetto, and Sergei Koptchak was Il Commendatore. Marthe Keller was the stage director and Andrew Davis conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House.

Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott were together again on the stage as Donna Anna and Don Giovanni, respectively, at the Royal Opera House on 15. June 2007. Michael Schade was Don Ottavio, Ana María Martínez was Donna Elvira, Kyle Ketelsen was Leporello, Sarah Fox was Zerlina, Matthew Rose was Masetto and Reinhard Hagen was Il Commendatore. Francesca Zambello was the stage director and Ivor Bolton conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Anna Netrebko sang again the role of Donna Anna twice at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg on 8. July 2007 and 30. November 2007.

On 8. July 2007, Yevgeny Ulanov was Don Giovanni, Dmitri Voropaev was Don Ottavio, Tatiana Pavlovskaya was Donna Elvira, Ilya Bannik was Leporello, Irina Mataeva was Zerlina, Vadim Kravets was Masetto, and Gennady Bezzubenkov was Il Commendatore. Johannes Schaaf was the stage director and Valery Gergiev conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater.

On 30. November 2007, Ildar Abdrazakov made his role debut as Don Giovanni at the Mariinsky Theater, Daniil Shtoda was Don Ottavio, Tatiana Pavlovskaya was Donna Elvira, Nikolai Kamensky was Leporello, Yekaterina Solovieva was Zerlina, Yuri Vorobiev was Masetto, and Fyodor Kuznetsov was Il Commendatore. Johannes Schaaf was the stage director and Tugan Sokhiev conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater.

Update -- Erwin Schrott said in an interview that it was not true that he is going to sing the title role of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" at la Scala di Milano with Anna. On the other hand, the company Live dabei Tours is already announcing that Anna will sing the title role of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" in December 2011 at la Scala di Milano. Theerefore, we believe that our initial information (see above) was right and we expect that Anna Netrebko will sing the title role of of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" in December 2011 at the opening of the season of the Teatro alla Scala di Milano.

Archives | Anna Netrebko at the Teatro alla Scala, Milano

Anna Netrebko has performed three times at the Teatro alla Scala of Milano.

Anna Netrebko's debut at the mythical italian opera house was in a concert performance singing Mussorgsky's "La Camera dei Bambini" on 7. March 1998. Valery Gergiev conducted the Filarmonica della Scala. The full programme of the concert was as follow:

Teatro alla Scala, Milano 7. Mar 1998 – Modest P. Mussorgsky, La Camera dei Bambini: Anna Netrebkoº (Soprano) | Alfred Schnittke, Concerto per Viola e Orchestra: Yuri Bashmet (Viola) | Igor Stravinsky, Le Sacre du Printemps; Filarmonica della Scala, Valery Gergiev

Two years and a half later, Anna Netrebko came back to the stage of the Teatro alla Scala of Milano to sing the role of Natasha Rostova in Prokofiev's "War and Peace" in two performances on 4. and 5. October 2000. Valery Gergiev, on 4. October, and Gianandrea Noseda, on 5. October, conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater.

War and Peace, Teatro alla Scala, Milano 4. Oct 2000 – Vladimir Moroz (Prince Andrei Bolkonsky), Anna Netrebkoª (Natasha Rostova), Ekaterina Semenchuk (Sonya), Irina Bogacheva (Marja Akhrosimova), Svetlana Volkova (Madame Peronskaya), Mikhail Kit (Count Ilya Rostov), Nadezhda Serdjuk (Countess Hélène Bezukhova), Alexei Steblianko (Count Pierre Bezukhov), Evgeny Strashko (Prince Anatole Kuragin), Zlata Bulycheva (Princess Marja Bolkonskaya), Fyodor Kuznetsov (Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky), Sergei Aleksashkin (Field Marshal Prince Mikhail Kutuzov), Fyodor Mozhaev (Napoleon), Edem Umerov (Colonel Vaska Denisov), Yevgeny Nikitin (Lieutenant Dolokhov); Andrei Konchalovsky (Stage Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev

War and Peace, Teatro alla Scala, Milano 5. Oct 2000 – Alexander Gergalov (Prince Andrei Bolkonsky), Anna Netrebko (Natasha Rostova), Ekaterina Semenchuk (Sonya), Irina Bogacheva (Marja Akhrosimova), Irina Loskutova (Madame Peronskaya), Sergei Aleksashkin (Count Ilya Rostov), Olga Savova (Countess Hélène Bezukhova), Alexei Steblianko (Count Pierre Bezukhov), Oleg Balashov (Prince Anatole Kuragin), Zlata Bulycheva (Princess Marja Bolkonskaya), Fyodor Kuznetsov (Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky), Gennady Bezzubenkov (Field Marshal Prince Mikhail Kutuzov), Vladislav Uspiensku (Napoleon), Edem Umerov (Colonel Vaska Denisov), Yevgeny Nikitin (Lieutenant Dolokhov); Andrei Konchalovsky (Stage Director), Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, Gianandrea Noseda

Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. May 2010

Yesterday it was the second and last performance of the run of Massenet's "Manon" at the Wiener Staatsoper, starring Anna Netrebko in the title role and Roberto Alagna as Chevalier des Grieux. The production was by Andrei Serban. Claude Schnitzler conducted the Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper.

The performance was broadcast live on a big screen at the Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz.

Manon
Music by Jules Massenet

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille, based on the novel "L'histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut" by the Abbé Prévost

Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010

Inszenierung: Andrei Serban
Ausstattung: Peter Pabst
Bühnenbildassistenz: Agnes Hasun
Kostümassistenz: Isolde Binsteiner

Cast
Manon Lescaut: Anna Netrebko
Chevalier Des Grieux: Roberto Alagna
Graf Des Grieux: Dan Paul Dumitrescu
Lescaut: Markus Eiche
Guillot de Morfontaine: Alexander Kaimbacher
De Brétigny: Clemens Unterreiner
Pousette: Ileana Tonca
Javotte: Roxana Constantinescu
Rosette: Zoryana Kushpler
Inkeeper: Elisabeth van der Vloedt

Dirigent: Claude Schnitzler
Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Claude Schnitzler

Reports

Marie-Antoinette attended the performance of "Manon" at the Wiener Staatsoper. She reported that Anna and Roberto brought down the Wiener Staatsoper getting a never ending ovation. Anna was in an extremely good mood at the stage door. Marie-Antoinette told us that this time Anna got a lot of flowers trying to catch them. The audience was very thankfull and gave her a fantastic farewell.

Photos

Anna Netrebko and Roverto Alagna at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko and Roverto Alagna at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Roberto Alagna, Anna Netrebko, Markus Eiche, Roxana Constantinescu, Clemens Unterreiner, Zoryana Kushpler and Alexander Kambaicher at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Roberto Alagna, Anna Netrebko, Claude Schnitzler and Zoryana Kushpler at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko catching a bouquet of flowers at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Roberto Alagna, Anna Netrebko, Clemens Unterreiner and Zoryana Kushpler at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Roberto Alagna, Anna Netrebko, Clemens Unterreiner, Zoryana Kushpler, Markus Eiche and Roxana Constantinescu at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko at the signing session at the stage door, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko at the signing session at the stage door, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko at the signing session at the stage door, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Roberto Alagna at the signing session at the stage door, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko at the signing session at the stage door, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 21. Mai 2010. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna signed the Manon 2007 program booklet. Photo: Marie-Antoinette

Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010

Yesterday, Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna were back on stage together at the Wiener Staatsoper in Massenet's "Manon". The production was by Andrei Serban. Claude Schnitzler conducted the Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper.

Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna made their role debut as Manon Lescaut and Chevalier Des Grieux, respectively, at the Wiener Staatsoper on 3. March 2007, in the same Andrei Serban's production of "Manon". This was also the first time they were together on stage at any opera house. Some months later, on 25. September 2007, they were together once again on stage singing the title roles of Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette" at the Metropolitan Opera House of New York.

Anna Netrebko has previously sung the title role of "Manon" at the Los Angeles Opera in September/October 2006, partnered by Rolando Villazón, Wiener Staatsoper in March 2007, partnered by Roberto Alagna, Staatsoper Unter den Linden in April/May 2007, partnered by Rolando Villazón, and Wiener Staatsoper in April 2008, partnered by Massimo Giordano.

Anna Netrebko will sing the title role of "Manon" at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in June/July 2010, partnered by Vittorio Grigòlo, in a Tour to Japan with the Royal Opera in September 2010, partnered by Matthew Polenzani, and at the Metropolitan Opera House on the next season, partnered by Piotr Beczala.

A second and last performance of the run of "Manon" at the Wiener Staatsoper is scheduled on 21. May 2010 at 19:30.

Manon

Music by Jules Massenet

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille, based on the novel "L'histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut" by the Abbé Prévost

Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. Mai 2010

Inszenierung: Andrei Serban

Ausstattung: Peter Pabst

Bühnenbildassistenz: Agnes Hasun

Kostümassistenz: Isolde Binsteiner

Cast

Manon Lescaut: Anna Netrebko

Chevalier Des Grieux: Roberto Alagna

Graf Des Grieux: Dan Paul Dumitrescu

Lescaut: Markus Eiche

Guillot de Morfontaine: Alexander Kaimbacher

De Brétigny: Clemens Unterreiner

Pousette: Ileana Tonca

Javotte: Roxana Constantinescu

Rosette: Zoryana Kushpler

Inkeeper: Elisabeth van der Vloedt

Dirigent: Claude Schnitzler

Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Claude Schnitzler

Reports

Herbert attended the performance at the Wiener Staatsoper and he wrote the following report for the blog.

It is a strange experience to see the same production with (almost) the same cast again after some years. Both Anna and Roberto Alagna have developed since then, personally and artistically, but they have shown that they still know how to perform in this production convincingly and on a high level.

They were both full of vitality in many scenes. The most expressive and powerful scene was, of course, in St. Sulpice.

In spite of many curtain calls, not a single flower was thrown onto the stage this time.

A TV team of ORF was present and recorded a lot.

Director Ioan Holender must have been in a very good mood, because when he left the opera house he even gave 2 autographs! Never seen that before…

Georg attended also the premiere of Manon. He told me that it was a very good performance. At the signing session it was as much people there for Roberto Alagna as for Anna Netrebko.

Everyone was in a good mood. Anna came first and when Roberto came out he was -or acted- surprised that so many people was there. Anna said to him: "It's always like this in Vienna!". Someone had a signed poster of "Il Trovatore" and Roberto said jokingly: "Next time I will sing it with Anna together!". We'll see...

I find out this comment of Roberto about "Il Trovatore" very interesting, as most probably he was not joking when he said that and we could expect to get both of them together in "Il Trovatore". Expected venues could be the Staatsoper unter den Linden, Berlin and the Gran Teatro del Liceo, Barcelona for the 2013-2014 season.

Press Reviews
[1] Mit der Netrebko wird Oper sinnlich | Oe24.at | Karl Löbl | 19. Mai 2010
[2] Eindimensional, aber makellos | Wiener Zeitung | Marion Eigl | 19. Mai 2010
[3] Wiener Staatsoper: Manon am 18.5.2010 | Der Neue Merker | Kurt Vlach
[4] „Leidenschaftliche Manon“ | Opern in Wien | Dominik Troger

TV news
ORF 2 | Seitenblicke 19. Mai 2010 20:05 Uhr

Photos

Manon, Wier Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Anna Netrebko (Manon), Roberto Alagna (Le Comte des Grieux) and rest of the cast at the final curtain calls, Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Roberto Alagna (Le Comte des Grieux) and Anna Netrebko (Manon) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko (Manon) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Herbert

Roberto Alagna (Le Comte des Grieux) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Herbert

Roberto Alagna (Le Comte des Grieux) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Anna Netrebko (Manon) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko (Manon) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Roberto Alagna (Le Comte des Grieux) and Anna Netrebko (Manon) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Roberto Alagna (Le Comte des Grieux) and Anna Netrebko (Manon) at the final curtain calls. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Roberto Alagna and Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Hiroya

Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Georg

Roberto Alagna and Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Georg

Roberto Alagna and Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Georg

Roberto Alagna and Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Manon, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 18. May 2010. Photo: Georg

Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 15. May 2010

On 15. May 2010 it was the fifth and last performance of the run of the classical Franco Zeffirelli's production of Georges Bizet's "Carmen" at the Wiener Staatsoper, starring Nadia Krasteva in the title role, Massimo Giordano as Don José, Anna Netrebko as Micaela and Ildebrando d'Arcangelo as Escamillo. The conductor was Andris Nelsons.

The performance was broadcast live by Ö1 radio.

Carmen

Music by Georges Bizet

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée

Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 15. May 2010

Production

Inszenierung: Franco Zeffirelli

Bühnenbild: Franco Zeffirelli

Kostüme: Leo Bei

Choreographie: Rafael de Córdoba

Chorleitung: Thomas Lang

Cast

Carmen: Nadia Krasteva

Don José: Massimo Giordano

Micaela: Anna Netrebko

Escamillo: Ildebrando d'Arcangelo

Frasquita: Anita Hartig

Mercedes: Zoryana Kushpler

Zúñiga: Alexandru Moisiuc

Morales: Boaz Daniel

Remendado: Herwig Pecoraro

Dancaire: Tae Joong Yang

Conductor: Andris Nelsons

Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

Personal Report

The last weekend I have been in Wien to attend live the last performance of the run of "Carmen" at the Wiener Staatsoper on 15. May 2010. I got the tickets for this performance beginning of December 2009 and I was very much looking forward to attending this performance, as it was truly the highlight of the opera season at the Wiener Staatsoper and, therefore, one of the main highlights of the opera season worldwide.

The reason behind an initially announced superb dream cast with Elina Garanca in the title role, Rolando Villazón as Don José, Anna Netrebko as Micaela and Ildebrando D'Arcangelo as Escamillo. Mariss Jansons was the conductor. The first cast change arised long time ago, when Rolando Villazón withdraw from all of the performances and was substituted by Massimo Giordano. Massimo had sung before with Anna Netrebko in two performances of Manon at the Wiener Staatsoper in April 2008, and more recently in a series of concerts in Germany, Scandinavia and France. Further cast changes were announced some weeks before the premiere. It was first Mariss Jansons who withdraw from all the performances, being substituted by his scholar Andris Nelsons for most of the performances. Just a few days later, the main cast change was announced. Elina Garanca withdraw from all the performances, being substituted by Nadia Krasteva. This cast change was particularly upsetting, as Elina got a huge success as Carmen at the Caracalla Termes, Royal Opera House and Metropolitan Opera House and to get together the couple Elina-Anna on stage was one of the key points of those series of performances. The initially announced dream cast was over.

Finally the key date, 15. May 2010, arrived and I was there, at the Wiener Staatsoper, seating at the 4th row of the Parkett, perfectly centered. Andris Nelsons took his place at the pit and the performance started.

Let me say first a few words about the production by Franco Zeffirelli. The settings were absolutely gorgeous! I had seen a Zeffirelli's production of Carmen at the Arena di Verona some years ago, and it was gorgeous too, but to have all those magnificent settings, particularly those of the 2nd and 3rd Acts, on stage at an opera house was even better. A colourful square of Sevilla in the 1st Act, a manificient Lillas Pastia's Inn in the 2nd Act, a deep black, cold and rainy night at the mountains in the 3rd Act and the "Plaza de Toros" of Sevilla in the 4th Act. The costumes were also colourful and nice, with an overcrowded stage.

Nadia Krasteva as Carmen had a difficult role replacing Elina Garanca. She has a very nice voice and she was also acting convingly on stage. She really had too much makeup on her eyes. Massimo Giordano was singing very well and his acting was also convincing. He was at his best on the scenes with Anna on the first and third act. Ildebrando D'Arcangelo was also portraying a convincing "torero" Escamillo.

But the true highlight of the performance was Anna Netrebko, who was stunning beyond description, warm and deep voice in the lower registers and powerful in the higher ones. She portrayed two different Micaelas. In the first act, she is innocent and girlish, dancing around the soldiers, while in the third act we see a Micaela, full of energy and charismatic.The main and more enthousiastic applauses of the night were for Anna after her first aria in the 3rd Act.

The rest of the cast was also pretty good. Boaz Daniel as Morales, Anita Hartig as Frasquita, Zoryana Kushpler as Mercedes, Alexandru Moisiuc as Zúñiga, Herwig Pecoraro as Remendado and Tae Joong Yang  as Dancaire. I would like also to mention the fantastic Flamenco ballet on the 2nd Act.

Andris Nelsons was superb conducting. He has a very energetic and expressive style, getting everything under control. I would like to highlight the care he shown conducting when Anna was singing the Micaela's aria "Ah! Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante" at the 3rd Act, giving her all the indications with soft motions of her left hand.

The audience was delighted with the performance and the singers were awarded with strong ovations and "Bravi".

At the end of the performance I was at the stage door to meet the singers. After Anita Hartig and Zoryana Kushpler, the first to come were Anna and Massimo. They were signing autographs to all the fans who were there for them. After a while, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo joined them signing autographs. I met also there Mariella Luger, a young Austrian soprano student who had been a "super" in those performances. She wrote a wonderful report for the blog, about her fantastic experience as a super in Carmen at the Wiener Staatsoper. Nadia Krasteva and Andris Nelsons came later. Finally Anna, Massimo, Nadia Krasteva, Ioan Holender and others went to have dinner to a restaurant at Karlsplatz.

Videoclips
Carmen, 2. Act: La fleur que tu m'avais jetée, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 15. Mai 2010

Anna Netrebko will open the XXVII edition of the Canary Islands Music Festival

Anna Netrebko will open the XXVII edition of the Canary Islands Music Festival at the Symphonic Hall of the Auditorium of Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on 7. January 2011. Anna Netrebko will be joined on stage by the bass-baritone Erwin Schrott. Vladimir Spivakov will conduct the National Philharmonic of Russia.

Following the opening concert in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on 7. January 2011, Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott will perform at the opening concert at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 10. January 2011.

Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott will sing arias and duets from works by Puccini, Massenet and Verdi among other composers.

The Festival, which has been presented today in a press conference, will have Vienna as main leitmotiv and will run from 7. January to 17. February 2011. The Festival will also be presented in Vienna on 20. May 2010 with the presence of Anna Netrebko.

Candelaria Rodríguez, director of the Festival, said that Anna Netrebko had accepted to attend the Canary Islands Music Festival at a "reasonable price", as the cachet includes the National Philharmonic of Russia and its conductor Vladimir Spivakov and reaches the 480,000 EUR.

Tickets for the opening concert will range from 45 to 105 EUR. For additional updated information, venues and tickets, please visit the official website of the Canary Islands Music Festival.

XXVII Festival de Música de Canarias, Opening Concert, Sala Simfónica, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 7. Jan 2011 – Anna Netrebkoº (Soprano), Erwin Schrott (Bass-baritone); National Philharmonic of Russia, Vladimir Spivakov

XXVII Festival de Música de Canarias, Opening Concert, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 10. Jan 2011 – Anna Netrebkoº (Soprano), Erwin Schrott (Bass-baritone); National Philharmonic of Russia, Vladimir Spivako

Press
Netrebko inaugurará el Festival de Música de Canarias | Canarias al día | EFE | 18. May 2010

Exclusive: Mariella Luger writes about her experience as a "super" in Carmen at the Wiener Staatsoper

Mariella Luger is a very young Austrian soprano student, as well as part-time fashion model, who has been performing as “super” in the current run of performances of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Wiener Staatsoper. This was her first time on-stage at the Wiener Staatsoper.

I asked her to write a short report for the blog, about her stage and backstage experience in “Carmen” and she kindly agreed to do it. Here it is the report she wrote, together with some pictures she got with the main artists. Thank you very much, Mariella for your effort, for sharing with us your first experience on stage at the Wiener Staatsoper and for your pictures.

My name is Mariella Luger, I am 19 years old and I live in Vienna, Austria. I am one of the supernumeraries or “supers”, those who are on the stage, playing non-singing roles as part of the crowd, in the current performances of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Wiener Staatsoper.

It is a very beautiful experience being backstage and witness how the performance takes place. The area behind the stage is a labyrinth and at the beginning I was always lost. The employees at the Opera House are all very friendly. There are special people who are responsible for the mask, hair and costumes. I find it exciting to witness how seemingly "ordinary people" go to the opera and then, using costumes and makeup, they are transformed into other people.

On my first day, I met Anna Netrebko during her first pause backstage. I met her alone at the staircase of the opera house and I was able to talk to her shortly. I told her that I am a singer too and that she is marvelous. Then she autographed my music-book and she took a photo with me. Afterwards, she had to sing again on the stage.

I also met Massimo Giordano and Nadia Krasteva backstage while they were limbering up for the performance. I have to say that I’ve become a big fan of all the singers of this production.

As I stood on the stage, I felt very comfortable. I could neither listen to the orchestra, nor see the auditorium very well when I ventured a glance, the headlights blinded me too strongly. On the stage, we all felt as one unit, as in another world. The most fantastic experience for me was standing next to Anna Netrebko while she was singing in the first act.

While I am not standing on stage, I can either wait in the dressing room or eat in the canteen. The first time I was in the canteen, I could not believe my eyes - it was looking like an Inn. Typical Austrian!

Once I went to the autograph session after the performance. Anna Netrebko came out first and gave a lot of autographs, but she could not remain for a long time. The other singers and the conductor remained longer than her, Nadia Krasteva left as the last one the opera.

To me, the production is very gorgeous. The audience also seems to be very enthusiastic. In my opinion, all the singers play their roles convincingly and fit vocally perfectly together. Anna Netrebko understands her role as Micaela and attracts all viewers in her magical spell as soon as she steps on stage. As for me, Massimo Giordano, who got - incomprehensible to me - a bad review by some people, was great. He throws a new light on the role of Don José. Ildebrando D'Arcangelo plays Escamillo very convincingly and his deep voice thrills me. Nadia Krasteva embodies Carmen better than all the other singers from other productions. Her passion for the music is obvious. She has a very strong personality and can speak German perfectly.

I'm looking forward to being back on stage soon. Among other performances, I'll be once again on stage with Ildebrando D'Arcangelo in "Don Giovanni"!

Videoclip

Mariella Luger as “super” at the 4th Act of Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 6. May 2010. ORF 2 Broadcast.

Photos

Mariella Luger dressed as zingara backstage. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Mariella Luger dressed as zingara backstage. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Andris Nelsons and Mariella Luger at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Mariella Luger and Nadia Krasteva at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Mariella Luger and Ildebrando D'Arcangelo at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Mariella Luger and Massimo Giordano at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Mariella Luger and Anna Netrebko at the staircase of the opera house. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 3. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Autographs of Anna Netrebko, Massimo Giordano, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, Nadia Krasteva and Andris Nelsons. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Mariella Luger

Anna Netrebko in St. Petersburg on 25. and 26. March 2010

Anna Netrebko performed in three different shows in St. Petersburg on 25. and 26. March 2010.

The first one was the show named “Oh music, I thank you!”, a concert dedicated to Elena Matusovskaya Jubilee at the Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall, St. Petersburg 25. Mar 2010.

“Oh music, I thank you!”, Concert dedicated to Elena Matusovskaya Jubilee, Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall, St. Petersburg 25. Mar 2010 – Anna Netrebko (Soprano), Irina Mataeva (Soprano), Zlata Bulycheva (Mezzo-soprano), Nina Romanova (Mezzo-soprano), Yevgeny Akimov (Tenor), Yuri Marusin (Tenor), Yuri Laptev (Baritone), Vladislav Sulimsky (Baritone), Yevgeny Ulanov (Baritone); Elena Matusovskaya (Piano)

Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall, St. Petersburg 25. Mar 2010 – Anna Netrebko (Soprano), Yuri Marusin (Tenor)

The next day, on 26. March 2010, Anna Netrebko performed in two shows.

The first show was a song recital of Anna Netrebko accompanied at the piano by Elena Bashkirova, with works by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, held at the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic Society.

Liederabend, Songs by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic Society, Shostakovich Philharmonic, Grand Hall, St. Petersburg 26. Mar 2010 – Anna Netrebko (Soprano); Elena Bashkirova (Piano)

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • So schnell vergessen (1870) | Zabït tak skoro (1870) | To forget so soon (1870), Great Hall of the St. Petresburg Academic Philharmoonic Society, 26. Mar 2010

The second one was a concert at the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory, dedicated to Tamara Novichenko Jubilee. Tamara Novichenko was the professor of Anna Netrebko at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. An article and a videoclip about this concert can be found on the tv100.ru website.

Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Concert dedicated to Tamara Novichenko Jubilee, St. Petersburg 26. Mar 2010 – Anna Netrebko (Soprano), Irina Mataeva (Soprano), Marina Shaguch (Soprano), Nadine Koutcher (Soprano), Elena Mirtova (Soprano), Lubov Belotserkovskaya (Soprano), Svetlana Moscalenko, Nina Arsentieva, Olga Beskhlebnaya, Galina Shoydogbaeva; Orchestra of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, Sergey Stadler

Faust, 2. Act: Marguerite's aria, "Ah! Je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir", Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory, St. Petersburg 26. Mar 2010

Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010

Yesterday it was the third performance of the run of the classical Franco Zeffirelli's production of Georges Bizet's "Carmen" at the Wiener Staatsoper, starring Nadia Krasteva in the title role, Massimo Giordano as Don José, Anna Netrebko as Micaela and Ildebrando d'Arcangelo as Escamillo. The conductor was Andris Nelsons.

Carmen
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée

Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010

Production
Inszenierung: Franco Zeffirelli
Bühnenbild: Franco Zeffirelli
Kostüme: Leo Bei
Choreographie: Rafael de Córdoba
Chorleitung: Thomas Lang

Cast
Carmen: Nadia Krasteva
Don José: Massimo Giordano
Micaela: Anna Netrebko
Escamillo: Ildebrando d'Arcangelo
Frasquita: Anita Hartig
Mercedes: Zoryana Kushpler
Zúñiga: Alexandru Moisiuc
Morales: Boaz Daniel
Remendado: Herwig Pecoraro
Dancaire: Tae Joong Yang

Conductor: Andris Nelsons
Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

Photos

Overview of the Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz with the big screen where Carmen was broadcast live within the program "Wiener Staatsoper für alle". Tiago was at the Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz watching the performance while enjoying a wonderful day in Wien. Anna came out to see Tiago, dressed as Micaela, after the first act of Carmen. Photo: Anne

Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Nadia Krasteva, Massimo Giordano, Anna Netrebko, Zoryana Kushpler and Anita Hartig at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Nadia Krasteva, Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Anna Netrebko and Massimo Giordano at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Nadia Krasteva, Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Anna Netrebko and Massimo Giordano at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Andris Nelsons, Nadia Krasteva, Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Anna Netrebko and Massimo Giordano at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Ildebrando d'Arcangelo and Anna Netrebko at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko and Massimo Giordano at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko at the final curtain calls. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Massimo Giordano and Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko signing autographs at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Ildebrando D'Arcangelo and Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Helmut Flatscher

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. As a manner to celebrate Victory Day, Anna wears a Ribbon of St. George, one of the most recognised and respected symbols of military valour in modern Russia, widely associated with the commemoration of World War II, and a white T-shirt with the self-made Russian printed text "To Berlin!". Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Helmut Flatscher

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Helmut Flatscher

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Helmut Flatscher

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Helmut Flatscher

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Helmut Flatscher

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Erwin Schrott at the stage door waiting for Anna. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Anne

Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott at the stage door. Carmen, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien 9. May 2010. Photo: Helmut Flatscher