If you are an opera lover, you have surely already discovered that "streamed" – what a word! – performances can really touch you emotionally and at times even give you goosebumps. The "filling" of the gap in live performances is certainly to be welcomed. We are grateful to the artists and organizing opera houses and have great respect for the efforts they make.
Like Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, the Koninklijke Muntschouwburg and the Opéra Royal de Wallonie, De Nationale Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam also offers online productions at a very democratic price. The concert performance titled Donizetti Queens in Concert which will be presented on Sunday 16 May was on view earlier this week via a "press preview". It made clear that the concert is an absolute must for every fan of bel canto opera. The concert also aims to be a taste of the Donizetti operas that will be seen at De Nationale Opera in the coming seasons, namely Roberto Devereux, Maria Stuarda and Anna Bolena.
Love and rivalry
Each of these three operas revolves around one of the Tudor queens, and the plot each time mixes love affairs with aspects of power. The performance offers some of the dramatic highlights from the upcoming triptych in a luxurious cast, so that as a viewer/listener you are deeply moved. Marina Rebeka portrays the three queens: in Roberto Devereux the Elisabetta disappointed in her love for Roberto, in Maria Stuarda the tragic Scottish queen held captive by Elisabetta, the queen of England and her rival in love and power. In the opera that made Donizetti world famous since its premiere in 1830 in Milan, she finally portrays Anna Bolena, the second wife of Henry VIII who set her aside for Jane Seymour. Marina Rebeka not only looks elegant and regal, but also sings with vocal abundance and rich coloratura. Her rival is portrayed by J'nai Bridges, a fiery presence with a voice that is both smooth and chilling. Ismael Jordi brings both a powerful and flexible tenor voice and his engaged personality. The mimicry of the soloists, which you see as close-ups in such an online concert, conveys so much emotion that you hardly miss a scenic representation. The enthusiasm of conductor Enrique Mazzola for this bel canto music shines through. The Nederlands Kamerorkest plays with concentration and enthusiasm. The beautiful Choir of De Nationale Opera is spread across the parterre of the opera's main hall. Softly burning candles grouped in various numbers create a warm atmosphere at this undecorated concert.
A beautiful performance and therefore an absolute must-see.
- WHAT: Donizetti Queens in Concert
- WHO: Marina Rebeka (soprano), J'nai Bridges (mezzo), Ismael Jordi (tenor) and Roberto Tagliavini (bass) – Nederlands Kamerorkest and Choir of De Nationale Opera conducted by Enrique Mazzola
- WHERE: De Nationale Opera & Ballet, online via this link
- WHEN: Sunday 16 May, 19:00 – the concert remains available for 48 hours after the premiere!
- PHOTO: © Ben van Duin