La chronique d'Eléonore :
ORFEO WITH ROLANDO
These words say it all.
After my first Rolando / Orfeo experience in Bremen in 2012, followed by performances in Baden-Baden, Paris, Graz, Budapest, Bayreuth, Geneva, Dresden, Lyon and several other times in Bremen, Orfeo is for me one of the most important and magnificent roles of Rolando.
Even in this gorgeous series of absolutely outstanding experiences, the Hannover concert was special, the inimitable and superlative power of Rolando's singing and acting made it extraordinary.
An impressively played "Sinfonia" of Emilio di Cavalieri opened the concert. It was followed by Monteverdi's "La Musica", richly performed by Luciana Mancini, and by "Al canto, al ballo", an instrumental piece by Giulio Caccini.
And came the magic, the moment when Rolando started to sing the first notes of 'Rosa del ciel"... Just breathtaking!
His voice in every note was prodigious. It was in its absolutely perfect and majestic shape, with its every fascinating colour, with its incredible expressive power and aptitude to express and convey the deepest emotions. The poetry in singing, always present in Rolando's performance, was captivating.
The programme brought other sumptuous pieces by Monteverdi, allowing Rolando to dazzle us with his brilliant singing in "Vi ricordo boschi ombrosi", the exceptionally dramatic "Tu se' morta", the most emotional "Possente spirto", but also in "Qual honor" sung with Dorota Szczepanska., in"Mille pene" by Gluck, and as a surprise, in Gardel's "Sus ojos se cerraron".
With his famously gorgeous stage presence, Rolando inhabited the stage completely, his movements and gestures performing all human feelings from joy and happiness to the deepest pain and hopelessness,
For this evening, Céline Sheen was replaced by Dorota Szczepańska, a finest Euridice, enjoyable both in singing and acting. Luciana Mancini, a superb voice and fiery temperament, performed a fantastic La Musica and La Messaggera.
With its magnificent sound, marvelously excellent playing and finest instrumentalists, L'Arpeggiata made an amazing early baroque music, with all the captivating rhythms, movement, tension and drama
And ... Christina Pluhar, an unsurpassed connoisseur, conductor and performer of Monteverdi and the composers of the Baroque.. I have known her music since 2016 with concerts in Bremen, Paris, Bayreuth, Graz and Budapest. Budapest loves her music, she had enormous personal success several times at the MÜPA (Palace of Arts ).
(A very personal remark : With her infinite kindness, she invited Klári and me to return to the city in her taxi after the concert.)
Two mezmerizing encores from Rolando :
'Orfeo negro' - a fantastic gift, an unexpected special joy for me! Performed in an incredibly enthralling, seductive voice, showing all its beauties.
'Ich wollte wie Orpheus singen' - a great surprise. I heard it for the first time and with Rolando's voice, it was love at first hearing.
(A great musical treat in perspective : 'Dido and Aeneas' by Purcell in Budapest in 2026 with Christina Pluhar and her ensemble!)
The most enthusiastic, rapturous applause and standing ovations and Bravi at the end of the concert and after every encore!
KÖSZÖNÖM, ROLANDO!
Eléonore
Les photos de Klari :
D'autres photos : Presse
