Buenos Aires Independents’ 2015 Season – Some Gems To Come (JSJ)
At the time of writing this, with the prospect of a 2015 season opening of Tosca, a new production of the work opens in La Plata – raising the thorny but perennially topical question of the extent to which independent organizations should simply pursue their own programs or attempt some coordination when they are largely competing for the same audiences. There are, after all, only so many very popular works that can be almost guaranteed to fill seats, although on the other side of the coin is a huge repertoire of works that remain under- and worse unperformed.
Certainly the answer isn’t straightforward but among the works announced by the Buenos Aires independent companies for 2015 there is a good balance, with some welcome gems. However, both companies have also restricted their seasons, in line with the ongoing difficult conditions prevailing in Argentina.
Buenos Aires Lírica
Buenos Aires Lírica opens its 2015 season with the aforementioned Tosca, under the direction of Marcel Perusso and conductor Javier Logoia Orbe (April 30). Principals include Mónica Ferracani, Enrique Folger and Homero Pérez-Miranda.
Donizetti’s arguably best opera buffa Don Pasquale follows, which is to be welcomed given it will be 5 years since the last local production (June 12). André Heller-Lopes directs and Juan Casasbellas conducts, and the cast includes Hernán Iturralde, Oriana Favaro and Santiago Ballerini.
This will be followed by Massenet’s romantic tragedy Werther, last seen locally in 2012 (July 31). Crystal Manich will direct and Pedro-Pablo Prudencio will conduct, and the principals will include Darío Schmunck, Florencia Machado, Ernesto Bauer and Laura Sangiorgio.
Finally Buenos Aires Lírica always includes a little performed work in its season and its fourth and final production for the year, Dvořák’s Rusalka, is especially welcome, being the Argentine premiere of the work (October 2). Carlos Vieu will conduct and Mercedes Marmorek will direct a cast including Daniela Tabernig, Eric Herrero and Elisabeth Canis.
Juventus Lyrica
After a successful 15th year, rounded off with a special commemorative Gala, Juventus Lyrica opens its 16th season with a welcome production of Giordano’s rather infrequently performed Andrea Chénier (April 10). Ana D’Anna will direct and Antonio Maria Russo will conduct, and the cast will include Gustavo López Manzitti, Darío Sayegh and Sabrina Cirera.
Mozart’s ever popular Le nozze di Figaro follows, with production by María Jaunarena and musical direction by Hernán Schvartzman (July 10). No details have been offered but given the nature of previous collaborations, this will likely be presented with period instruments.
Then to close the season (another) Carmen, under the musical direction of Hernán Sánchez Arteaga (November 6). Direction will be by Ana D’Anna and María Jaunarena, with a cast including Eugenia Fuente and Enrique Folger. Given the 140th anniversary of this work in 2015, no doubt many productions will result.
Jonathan Spencer Jones