Opera Anna Bolena de Donizetti organized by ABAO. Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Directed by Jordi Bernacer. Bilbao Opera Choir. Directed by Boris Dujin. Soloists: Joyce El-Khoury (soprano), Silvia Tro Santafé (mezzo), Marko Mimica (bajo), Celso Albelo (tenor), Anna Tobella (mezzo), José Manuel Díaz (baritone). Scene address: Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera. Scenography: Gary McCann. Place: Euskalduna Palace. Date: 19 November.
Anna Bolena from Donizetti is one of those great operas, impressive and with vocal difficulties. I mean, an opera to enjoy the big. And the production that ABAO has brought us has been one of those that benefit from all the virtues of sheet music and notebook. I mean, if it were a movie, it would be those of us that started with popcorn and we didn't move from the seat, we didn't blink our eyes.
Viewers had a great time. And it's no wonder. The strange adventures of King Henry VIII and the unfortunate and criminal marriage experience always awaken the brunt of listeners. And the case of Anna Bolena was very special.
But here we're going to talk about music. And from an artistic point of view, the show offered was excellent. Anna Bolena, with her voice, made real Filigranas. Soprano Joyce El-Khoury, of Lebanese origin, gave lessons of flexibility, sensitivity, power and gloss in his timbre. Va disfelice left us especially fascinated in the last aria, with great nuances in his singing.
But I think the Valencian mezzo Silvia Tro Santafé did not stay behind. She played Jane Seymour's role with outstanding and confident skill, with many nuances, where she showed great interpretive talent.
On the other hand, although the lower Croatian Marco Mimesica performed the VIII. Henry VIII, credible and deeply vocal, I do not think I am mistaken if I say that among the male voices of the program the tenor Celso Albelo, in the role of Percy, particularly highlighted. With an unbeatable technique, he always showed an acute and clean record, a wonderful hearing. It had great moments, but Vivi tu... Nel veder la tua costanza aria, singing with incredible security.
On the other hand, the scenography was carefully taken care of in detail. Far from the latest minimalist montages, this Anna Bolena experienced a remarkable stage expansion thanks to Gary McCann’s excellent work.
And, to conclude, both the work of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, with the delicate and rigorous direction of Jordi Bernacer, and the performance of the Bilbao Opera Choir, sober and well pasted, helped to make this opera program a memory.