“A Tribute to Verdi ”
STARS OF THE ITALIAN OPERA
City Hall, Cork, Saturday 22nd September 2001 @ 8.00pm
in association with BARRY’S TEA
University Concert Hall, Limerick Thursday 27th September 2001 @ 8.00 pm
sponsored by AIB, Shannon Development, Limerick Corporation & Limerick County Council
National Concert Hall, Dublin Saturday 29th September 2001 @ 8.00 pm
supported by Bank of Ireland Asset Management
The name Verdi is synonymous with Italian opera in the second half of the nineteenth century. Although he was a brilliantly schooled musician, the emotion and drama of Verdi’s music appealed directly to his adoring public. This year is the centenary of the beloved composer’s death and to commemorate his anniversary Barra O’Tuama Promotions are presenting a special “Tribute to Verdi”, to open the 2001/2002 Opera Gala season. The tour begins at the City Hall, Cork on Saturday 22nd September sponsored by Barry’s Tea, then moves on to the University Concert Hall, Limerick on Thursday 27th September sponsored by AIB, Shannon Development, Limerick Corporation and Limerick County Council, and concludes at the National Concert Hall, Dublin on Saturday 29th September, supported by Bank of Ireland Asset Management. A magnificent trio of top Italian artists, all making their first appearance in Ireland, will come together to celebrate this important anniversary in a unique gala event directed by Barra O’Tuama Promotions.
Leading this heady cocktail of the finest Italian voices is tenor Valter Borin who possesses a superb voice together with all those other qualities necessary for successful operatic artists. He has sung in operas all over Europe, including a Gala Concert at Hyde Park, London and he has also performed alongside the legendary José Cura. He has made several recordings, and sings leading roles in Verdi’s La Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Corsaro, Simon Boccanegra, Macbeth, Otello, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Bizet’s Carmen and Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor amongst many others.
Francesca Rinaldi is an absolutely stunning dramatic soprano. She received the highest marks possible on graduating from her Conservatory in Italy. Although still young she is an experienced Verdi exponent and has won the “Voce Verdiane” International Competition, which is held at Verdi’s birthplace at Busseto, Italy. She made her debut in 1993 in the role of Mimi in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Her repertoire also includes principal roles in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Rossini’s L’inganno felice, Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Otello, Massenet’s Manon, Puccini’s Suor Angelica (a role which brought her great public and critical acclaim) and she sings roles in many contemporary operas as well.
Joining them on stage is Giuseppe Altomare who was awarded a degree in political science before beginning his musical studies at the Hochschule Mozarteum in Salzburg and becoming a much sought-after professional baritone. He has also studied with maestros Franco Correlli and Carlo Bergonzi. He sings all the major baritone roles including the principal roles in The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, Faust by Gounod, L’Elisir d’Amore and Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti, Aida, Don Carlo, Il Trovatore, La Traviata and Un Ballo in Maschera by Verdi, Puccini’s La Bohème, Madame Butterfly, Gianni Schicchi, Manon Lescaut and many others. He now works with some of the best orchestral conductors in the world and is also developing a recording career.
The remarkably talented Alistair Dawes is the accompanist for the evening. As well as being a fine pianist, Alistair is also well known to Opera Gala patrons for his brilliant conducting of the National Symphony Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra in past Opera Gala performances with José Cura.
Special guests are the increasingly popular Voices of Limerick conducted by Colette Davis. They were in terrific voice at the Opera Gala concerts last March, and are looking forward to touring with the Italian Operatic stars, which would be a notable achievement for any choir. Concert narrator is the well-known David McInerney who will introduce each number in his own informative style.
The specially selected programme of arias, duet, trios from no less than ten different Verdi operas including Il Trovatore, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Aida, Un Ballo in Maschera and La Forza del Destino will appeal to all music lovers.
The “Tribute to Verdi” is sure to be an outstanding evening, especially for all enthusiasts of the vocal art, and lovers of Verdi in particular. Tickets are on sale on at Pro Musica, Oliver Plunkett St, Cork Tel 021 4271659, University Concert Hall, Limerick Tel. 061 331549 and at the National Concert Hall, Dublin Tel. 01 4170000.
The Irish Examiner, the Sunday Independent and RTÉ also support these Opera Gala performances. |
