© Royal Opera House 2011 / Bill Cooper via bbc.co.uk/radio3 Opera on 3
If like me you are a belcanto fan, you might want to catch up with this BBC Radio 3/ Opera on 3 broadcast from the ROH while you still can, link to the programme is here.
Lisa ..... Elena Xanthoudakis (Soprano),
Amina ..... Eglise Gutierrez (Soprano),
Teresa ..... Elizabeth Sikora (Mezzo-soprano),
Elvino ..... Celso Albelo (Tenor),
Count Rodolfo ..... Michele Pertusi (Baritone),
Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, Daniel Oren (conductor)
It's a strong cast, who can certainly deliver the goods the music promises, i just wish, having seen it in person, that the actual production would have worked with the singers and the music. I've rarely seen such a bland one and the cast and music certainly deserved a better one. It's frustrating to me that belcanto doesn't really get the attention it deserves at this house, better productions, more involved directors, etc. Quibbles aside, do listen to the broadcast while it is still available, because you will get the best of what this Sonnambula was, the voices and the music :-)
© Royal Opera House 2011 / Bill CooperI've heard most of the cast before, except for the tenor :-) And let's face it, i'm always listening out for young, beautiful tenor voices. I love this kind of music and there are not many voices out there which can do it truly justice. These are tough plots to bring alive while you concentrate on singing... beautifully :-) I think you have to love this music dearly and it has to show in your singing.
I'd heard of Celso Albelo before his Elvino at the ROH and it was a pleasant discovery to hear him live. He's very young and has had a brilliant career so far and looks to be on the right path to continue to do well. For me he had what i was looking for, the voice and the heart to carry this music. For those who want to know more of the roles, places, etc there is plenty on Celso Albelo's official web.
But i was lucky to get a little peek behind the curtain and get a bit of insight into Celso beyond stage and roles ;-) And here are a few of his "secrets" he shared and i can in turn share with you :-)
Celso Albelo © Joan Tomas para Fidelio Artist via www.celsoalbelo.com1.- Tell me about some pieces and recordings of classical music which are of special interest to you.
I am very interested in opera in general and especially in Romantic bel canto. Obviously the admiration I have for some singers such as Alfredo Kraus and Carlo Bergonzi means that I treasure some of their records devotedly.
2.- Music which makes you cry- (whatever genre or style)
In fact I don´t cry at music, although I do feel moved by singers who give it their all on stage, like Leo Nucci, for example. I believe that the performer is there by virtue of the audience and I like to feel this when I go to the opera.
3.- Pieces which you believe are under-valued and pieces or composers that you think are over-valued.
Although this question is almost one to ask a musicologist, my opinion is limited to my tastes. I think that bel canto in general is underestimated (Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini), I have even heard people saying that singing this repertoire is easier than Mozart… It´s the same with Verismo, which I like but I know that it is almost looked down on by certain groups. I don´t agree with this, because each repertoire has its difficulties. ¿Over-valued composer? None.
4.- A performance you went to that you will never forget
My first Traviata, in Madrid: it was the first time I went to the opera and in fact it really moved me. Another unforgettable performance was a Tosca that I saw in Valencia, conducted by Zubin Mehta and with the tenor Jorge de León as Cavaradossi: he was simply immense, stratospheric, tear-jerking!
5.- Something (or some things ) you are really proud of
I suppose that you are referring to my singing... I think I control my phrasing and legato, always in the Italian style. I make an effort to always be expressive and moving.
6.- “My biggest “secret” pleasure is…”
It´s no secret, but I love good food, good wine, good bread and I have a special weakness for desserts...
7. -“When I want to get away from everything I…”
I go to my island to dive. It is a magnificent experience, which brings you into contact with nature and with yourself.
8.- The funniest thing they have asked you to do in a production
I haven´t been asked to do many amusing things, but singing with my back to the audience is something I don´t like and I have had to do it on occasion. It´s good if you can argue with the director and reach an agreement.
9. Places or theatres you dream about singing in and why
Covent Garden, La Scala and the Met are goals which any opera singer has, and that includes me, but in my case I always love to return home, to Tenerife and Las Palmas, or the Real de Madrid –the city where I live, to sing in the Liceu in Barcelona and in my ‘other home’, which is A Coruña, in Galicia. I had never dreamed about singing in Japan, but when I did it in the end it was like a dream because I have some wonderful memories…
10. Tell us something about tenors that you think people should know, but they don´t
We are normal people. People always say that tenors are especially demanding, obsessive, neurotic and compulsive. Some of them are (ha ha ha), but no more than in other professions. It is true that being a singer means having to be in good health, but, believe me, we live and suffer like all other mortals.
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( see, told you, tenors are really nice people ;-))))
Wishing him all the best for the future, i'm sure we'll hear him and of him again :-)
I hope he had a good time in London and that he will be back!
