Verdi, Il Trovatore: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Juventus Lyrica. Conductor: Antonio Maria Russo, Teatro Avenida, Buenos Aires. 8.4.2011. (JSJ)
Director: Ana D’Anna
Sets: Daniel Feijóo
Costumes: Ponchi Morpurgo
Lighting: Ana D’Anna and Fernando Micucci
Chorus: Miguel Pesce
Cast:
Count di Luna: Fabián Veloz / Cristian Maldonado
Manrico: Darío Sayegh / Fermín Prieto
Leonora: Macarena Valenzuela / Sabrina Cirera
Azucena: Laura Cáceres / Karina de Virgilio
Ferrando: Emiliano Bulacios / Maximiliano Michaivloski / Federico de Michelis
Inés: Claudia Montagna
Ruiz: Federico Herrera / Ulises Hachen
Messenger: Juan Feico
The last of the local companies to open its 2011 season, Juventus Lyrica chose Verdi’s ever popular Il Trovatore from the “home team” of Ana D’Anna and Antonio Maria Russo, along with a choice selection of younger singers.
Reflecting the nature of the drama, the production was dark and fairly static, with mostly basic scenery – a theme that was also carried through to the dress, which was generally unfussy and in darker hues. However, this simplicity was not to its detriment and rather was highly effective, given the energy in the music, which was enthusiastically and evenly played, with no loss of momentum, by the Juventus orchestra under Russo.
The vocal side was equally strong and particularly notable was the mezzo Laura Cáceres who played Azucena, her fiery and forceful “Stride le vampa” being particularly outstanding. Notable too was the Chilean soprano Macarena Valenzuela as Leonora who excelled across the range, and no less even was Fabián Veloz who was a solid and imposing Count di Luna. Darío Sayegh, apart from a touch of strain and his “Ah sì, ben mio” not as expressive as it could have been, was otherwise an accomplished Manrico and Emiliano Bulacios was a substantial Ferrando.
The chorus too, exhibited the care and attention that had been put into this production and it was clearly appreciated by an enthusiastic audience.
Jonathan Spencer Jones