Although there is little sign of changes to the Argentine economy, after a year in which both of Buenos Aires’ main independent opera companies have limited their productions, both are to increase these in the coming year up to their previous ‘norms’, albeit in both cases with concert offerings.
Buenos Aires Lírica
In 2014 Buenos Aires Lírica continues to focus mainly on the lesser performed repertoire, opening with a new production of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena by Pablo Maritano (March 21). Principals include Macarena Valenzuela, Florencia Machado, Santiago Ballerini, Christian Peregrino and Vanina Guilledo.
Wagnerfest!, a concert of extracts from Tannhäuser, Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung – including the final part of Walküre and Siegfired’s Rhine journey – follows (May 2). Pedro-Pablo Prudencio will conduct an on-stage orchestra, as the Teatro Avenida’s pit is too small for a Wagner orchestra, with soloists Carla Filipcic-Holm and Hernán Iturralde.
Another lesser performed work, Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur, is the next offering (June 6). Carlos Vieu will conduct and Crystal Manich will direct a cast including Daniela Tabernig, Eric Herrero, Adriana Mastrángelo, Omar Carrión and Sergio Spina.
Then Mozart’s Don Giovanni – very much a local staple – will be given in a new production by Marcelo Lombardero with Pedro-Pablo Prudencio conducting (August 22). Principals are Nahuel Di Pierro, Iván García, Oriana Favaro, Victoria Gaeta, Cecilia Pastawski, Santiago Bürgi, Mariano Fernández Bustinza and Hernán Iturralde
And to close the season yet another locally little performed work, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette (October 17). Javier Logioia Orbe will conduct, with the cast including Oriana Favaro, Santiago Ballerini, Ernesto Bauer, Cecilia Pastawski, Ricardo Crampton, Christian Peregrino and Hernán Iturralde.
Juventus Lyrica
Juventus Lyrica celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2014 with some 80 productions involving almost 600 young singers to its credit – fully living up to its mission of providing a platform for young singers.
In this coming year, the company opens its season with Rigoletto under the direction of Ana D’Anna and musical direction of Antonio Maria Russo (April 4).
Next, Cherubini’s Medée in its original French version will be an Argentine premiere (July 18). María Jaunarena directs and Hernán Schvartzman conducts.
The third offering is Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann under Brazilian conductor André Dos Santos (September 12).
To close the season a Grand Anniversary Gala will be presented, with extracts from some of the company’s productions down the years.
Jonathan Spencer Jones