Arena di Verona Verdi Gala

© Arena di Verona

Part of the Arena celebrations of Verdi´s 200 birthday was a special Gala with a selection of 3 acts out of Verdis popular trilogy La Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore. Verdi's Opus constitutes most of the Arenas programme and the Arena could not be imagined without Aida mass scenes bringing elefants and camels on stage or Nabucco´s prisoner choir sounding in the historical mystical Roman setting.

So it was a must to have a special tribute to the beloved Italian opera composer inviting celebrated singers and well experienced Arena conductors for this evening. We had an opportunity to hear Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak as a fine Violetta and Francesco Meli as her admirer in the first act of La Traviata. Here Violetta is a honorious  member of Paris high society, attracting the male society around her as well as the audience with her bright sensible singing and desirable appearence. Meli' s Alfredo lacks the erotic emotion but brings a secure singing.

Vittorio Grigolo thrills the audience as Duca di Mantova in the 2nd act of Rigoletto. He puts in all his efforts for a splendid immaculate singing and a vibrant acting, jumping on tables or moving on the vaste stage with his enourmous morning cape. Marco Vratogna lacks volume in his voice for the title role but supported by the strong performance of Sonya Yoncheva as his daughter GIlda, their duett remains very affecting and compesionate.

Hui He brought the last part of the Gala, Il Trovatore´s 4th act to another highlight of the evening. Her Eleonore shows a self assured liberated woman, dedicated to save her beloved Manrico and to overrule the hated Graf Luna - very encouraging sung by Artur Rucinski.

The evening showed as well a variety of musical interpretations. We heard a particularly fine conducting of Rigoletto by Ricardo Frizza. He does not lack romantic and emotion in his interpretation, is energetic and dramatic, brings a lot of volume and full sound, touching ground with the singing on stage. Guiliano Carella showed a strict, structured and transparent Verdi in his interpretation of il Ttrovatore, partly vibrant, in general too simplified.