Netrebko’s New Recording:
- ‘Iolanta’, by Tchaikovsky.
There is good reason why soprano Anna Netrebko is a frequent subject at my Blog: Of course, the primary reason is her amazing voice. However, she offers a lot more than that: She has great stage presence; she has a terrific sense of humor; she seemingly does not take herself all that seriously; and she’s also a fine-looking woman. I’d love to meet her personally some day, when she shows up to sing at the San Francisco Opera.
Anna Netrebko has a very exciting opera release for the start of 2015. She performs ‘Iolanta’, the title role of one of Tchaikovsky s most passionate, evocative scores and one of opera’s most enigmatic figures. She has made this character her own and has dedicated herself to championing this under-appreciated work.
Acclaimed performances in Baden-Baden and Salzburg have opened the eyes of critics and opera fans to Iolanta’s captivating blend of romance and mysticism. Set in 15th Century France, the piece tells the story of Iolanta, the blind daughter of King Rene, who, through a dramatic trial of love and faith, achieves not only sight, but spiritual transformation. Ms. Netrebko is scheduled for eight staged performances of Iolanta at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in January-February 2015, as well as a four-city European tour of concert performances and a Royal Albert Hall date later in the season.
Here are Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon performing a section of Iolanta by Tchaikovsky:
