The Astra Theatre announced the cast for the two performances of Verdi’s Nabucco. Leading the cast is formidable Italian baritone Piero Terranova, who has sung in major European opera houses such as La Scala.
Nabucco will take centre stage in this year’s Festival Mediterranea programme. The difficult role of Abigaille will be tackled by another Italian singer, soprano Silvia dalla Benetta.
Famous for her scintillating yet dark texture, with an extensive range and a penchant for coloratura, dalla Benetta promises to be a superb Abigaille.
World-renowned bass Carlo Colombara will be singing the role of the High Priest, Zaccaria.
Considered by critics to be the ideal Verdi bass, his is a powerful voice, beautiful in tone and dark in timbre, one that has seen him earn rave reviews for roles such as Philip II in Don Carlos and Ramfis in Aida. He has sung in major theatres across the world alongside singers and conductors of equal repute, namely, Placido Domingo, Maria Guleghina, Antonio Pappano and Zubin Mehta.
No newcomer to the Astra stage, Cliff Zammit Stevens will debut on the islands with a lead tenor role, that of Ismaele.
Nabucco is an opera flooded with choral numbers
Having already performed with flying colours the roles of Goro in Madama Butterfly and Cassio in Otello, this tenor is endowed with a crystalline, mellow texture that is ideal for the role of Ismaele.
Fenena will be sung by Olga Slepnyova, whom patrons remember from her wonderful performances of Suzuki in Madama Butterfly and Emilia in Otello last year.
Nabucco is an early opera by Verdi, one that caused a tremendous amount of controversy at the time of its first production.
This was mainly because of its fervent nationalistic thrust, its cries for freedom from political oppression and the historical place time has garnered for it over the centuries.
However, opera lovers do not only remember these attenuating factors attached to Nabucco – the moment the name is mentioned, opera lovers remember the great role that the chorus has.
In Nabucco the chorus has a lead role, a protagonist whose quality of contribution could make or break a production.
Nabucco is an opera literally flooded with choral numbers, one in which the chorus is the pivot around which the rest of the opera rests.
The Astra Theatre’s Opera Chorus has earned a sound reputation for itself over the past 25 years.
Made up of the best elements on the islands, it will once again be strengthened by a group of professional singers from Rome.
Enrico Stinchelli of La Barcaccia fame will once again be responsible for the artistic production while Joseph Vella, Astra Theatre’s musical director and Mediterranea’s artistic director, will be directing the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra for the two performances.
Nabucco will take place on October 23 and 25. for tickets call on 2155 0985 or send an e-mail to bookings@mediterranea.com.
www.mediterranea.com.mt