Christopher Theofanidis: Creation/Creator; Jessica Rivera, Sopran, Kelley O’Connor, Mezzosopran, Thomas Cooley, Tenor, Norman Ford, Bariton, Evan Boyer, Bass, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Robert Spano; 1 CD ASO Media 1006; Live 0472015 (73'28) - Rezension von Remy Franck

‘Creation / Creator’ von Christopher Theofanidis ist ein im April 2015 uraufgeführtes Werk, das Robert Spano für das ‘Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’ in Auftrag gab. Nach intensivem Studium diverser Schöpfungsgeschichten aus verschiedenen Kulturen entfernte sich Theofanidis weit von der biblischen Schöpfung, wie sie Joseph Haydn vertonte. Für den Amerikaner konzentrierte sich das Ganze immer stärker auf den ‘Impuls zur Erschaffung’, ob er nun aus göttlicher Eingebung oder aus der Suche nach irgendeiner Art von Wahrheit komme. Read More →

Antoine Dauvergne: Les Troqueurs; Jaël Azzaretti (Margot), Isabelle Poulenard (Fanchon), Alain Buet (Lubin), Benoît Arnould (Lukas) - Gérard Pesson: La Double Coquette: Maïlys de Viloutreys (Clarice), Isabelle Poulenard (Florise), Robert Getchell (Damon), Ensemble Amarillis; 2 CDs NoMadMusic NMM017; 2011 & 2014 (45’01 + 76’33) – Rezension von Manuel Ribeiro

Die komische Oper ‘Les Troqueurs’ aus der Feder des französischen Komponisten Antoine Dauvergne stammt aus dem Jahre 1753. Der Auftraggeber, Jean Monnet, Geschäftsführer eines Theaters, wollte eigentlich im Streit um die Vorherrschaft der französischen und der italienischen Oper den zerstrittenen Parteien einen Streich spielen und bat Dauvergne, eine Oper im Stile Pergolesis zu schreiben. Erst nach der erfolgreichen Uraufführung ließ Monnet verlauten, dass ein Franzose die ‘italienische’ Oper geschrieben hatte, deren Libretto von Jean-Joseph Vadé auf ein Gedicht von Lafontaine zurückgeht. Read More →

German Soprano Diana Damrau (44) has announced that she will not sing for two and a half months. On her website she writes: « After 15 years of performing with little or no time for substantial rest and recuperation, along with the demands that come with a beautiful, young family, my body has reached the point when it is now ‘insisting’ that I pause for a short time. Read More →

After an intensive search around the opera world, San Francisco Opera has announced that its No. 2, the Brit Matthew Shilvock, 39, Associate general director since 2010, will be the company’s next general director. Shilvock will succeed David Gockley, 72, at the conclusion of next year’s summer season.

I read in your autobiography that “the search for a proper tempo is not confined to the world of music; one must seek it in life as well”. What does it mean?
The question is very intellectual, but I will answer in a simple way. It takes time to find the good tempo: if you play five years, you’ll find it. It is a very important matter, if you have a wrong tempo, people will not follow you. You must be neutral, and this pursue will always be a long one. Read More →

Chinese pianist Zhu Xiao Mei* won an ICMA Special Award 2015 with her Bach recordings for Accentus**. ICMA Jury member Nicola Catto has made the following interview with her. Read More →

Russia’s Minister of Culture Vladimir Medina Finds the Rachmaninov family rather reluctant to his proposal of the composer’s reburial in Russia. The head of the Rachmaninov Foundation, Natalia Rachmaninov, widow of the composer’s grand-son, told the newspaper Izvestia that family members living in the United States, Costa Rica and France seem to be opposed to the transfer of Rachmaninov’s remains from the United States to Russia. According to Natalia Rachmaninov, the main obstacle is that in Sergei Rachmaninov’s grave two more people are buried: his wife and his daughter Irina. « Sergei was a deeply religious man. Is it possible to disturb the mortal remains of those buried with him? », says Natalia Rachmaninov.

Canadian tenor Jon Vickers has died at the age of 88. His family published the following message: « It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Jon Vickers, after a prolonged struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by one sister, his five children, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. His family and dearest friends remember him for his ringing laughter, warmth, and generous spirit. A man of the land who was the most at home on his farm, surrounded by nature and his family, he had an abiding search for the truths and essences of life. » Read More →

At the World Federation of International Music Competitions, WFIMC, a new Governance system with one Board, comprising the President and six members, replaces the former two-tiered structure of a Bureau and Committee. After the first elections for this new Board, the Federation announced the appointment of Didier Schnorhk, Secretary General of the Geneva International Music Competition, as its new President. Schnorhk succeeds Glen Kwok (International Violin Competition of Indianapolis) who held the position for six years. In addition to the Board, a full time Secretary-General based in Geneva will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer. Following an extensive, international search, Benjamin Woodroffe (Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition) has been appointed as the new Secretary-General (www.wfimc.org).

The Italian Renaissance has given us great music as well as great art. But the music, particularly the solo songs from the early sixteenth century, have not received the attention they deserve. When they are performed today, they lack vitality, the passion and urgency of their lyrics being poorly served by an overly cautious, stilted and under-expressive performance style. By contrast, five hundred years ago, the art of singing passionately was rooted in oration, and singers modelled their art on that of the orator or actor. Read More →