El debut de Gluck en les Arts - this mentions that, contrary to the tradition of Iphigénie being sung by a lyric, Violeta Urmana is a dramatic soprano. Funnily, though, the two occasions I have seen it live was with Susan Graham, so I've been wondering how a soprano, albeit an ex-mezzo (IIRC), will compare to a mezzo. Really glowing praise for the Pylade, Ismael Jordi, which is good news, because I simply had notheard of him until I read of this production. They say he has a clear lyric voice and remarkable musicality. Praise, too, for Plácido Domingo, although questioning the appropriateness of a tenor in this role
States that the work is a masterpiece, even though it has not been treated as such by large theatres or the recording industry. Plácido fills every corner of the scene dramatically and vocally despite the limitations imposed by time on his vocal chords, and Violeta is superb especially in the second half. The article speaks of the theatrical force of Gluck's opera and concludes by calling it great music and great entertainment.
Otro éxito formidable
Again, high praise for the opera: praising the psychological force of the argument, the speed of the action, and the vividly animated characters, with themes of isolation, paranoia and hope. And everything is brilliantly illuminated by seductive music.
Goes onto say how brilliantly the production draws attention to the text or music or both. As my google translation says 'not a single movement or gesture which is not contextualized insertion with a tight connection' and from what I remember from New York, I have to agree...
The cast of soloists is of the highest level: Violeta Urmana has presence, beautiful vocal colour, line and impressive powers of remarkable lyricism. Ismael Jordi is young but mature, and his voice and musicality show that he could be a major star. Plácido Domingo performedwith an intensity that would have been greatly admired two decades ago and sounds so frsh for one is sixty eight next month and has spent 52 of those years on stage
Apoteósico triunfo del jerezano Ismael Jordi de la mano de Plácido Domingo
Violeta Urmana with resounding and dramatic voice expressed the character of Iphigénie with tragic grandeur. Plácido Domingo, an artist par excellence, is the total singer. Everything is transformed by his presence, his voice strong and expressive. Superb vocal talent and great theatrical interpretation. Ismael Jordi was the big surprise. His heartfelt interpretation of Unis dés la plus tendre enfance, a beautiful, delicate and melodic passage, contratsed with his third act aria which he sang with bravery and heroically. Again, praise for his musicality.
Obviously, I can't tell to what extent these writers are bigging up a new (only its third season) opera house that is less important that Madrid or Barcelona , but definitely important, if you look at its list of stars. I absolutely agree about Iphigénie being a masterpiece that has received too little attention and praise. I have listened this week to three different versions. I am constantly surprised at how fresh and modern it sounds, and I am amazed at every twist and turn in the score, and every fiendishly difficult vocal run, gasping at the ingenuity of the writing and the virtuosity of the singing. One thing I can't determine from the reviews is whether the orchestra was properly baroque or whether it was a modern orchestra playing it as if it was from the 19th century. I hope for the former, because I think it sounds so much better on period instruments played in a baroque way. A lot crisper, much more rhythmic. Just, better. But it's such a gorgeous work I think I can bear it with modern instruments and too much vibrato.
I also hope that they do a recording. I would of course particularly like a DVD, but I could do with a better one than the one from the New York Met. I do wish they wouldn't dosuch close miking for their live broadcasts. The mikes pick up too much extraneous noise - the prompter, singers breathing, butterflies flapping their wings in China - that really intrude upon the sound quality which in any case sounds unbalanced
