Anna Netrebko Opera Gala

[gerrit]

Tonight, when I got home after a day at the office, I checked the TV guide in my local newspaper.

It also lists English, Belgian and German TV channel details. I got a big surprise when it listed an Anna Netrebko Gala, scheduled for live broadcast from the Festspielhaus at Baden Baden (Germany) on ZDF German Television.

I was just in time to set my hard disk recorder to record it. In fact, the programme had started a few minutes early as well. Fortunately they were playing an instrumental overture.

Together with Anna, there were 3 other singers: the Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garance, the Mexican tenor Ramon Vargás and the French baritone Ludovic Tézier.

I had never heard of the other 3 before - and in fact, originally the Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon was scheduled to perform. However, he fell ill a few days ago, and at the last minute he was replaced by his compatriot Ramon Vargás. Ramon was actually in Germany, but was just about to fly out of the country from Munich airport. They got hold of him while he apparently had already checked in for his flight, and he agreed to cancel it!

Together, these 4 singers provided some really enjoyable entertainment, all in all something like 13 or 14 arias, duets and quartets.

Currently my computer is working overtime to edit all this material - there's some very nice material there ...

Gerrit

PS Dave, I know you asked me some time again to let you know about anything Anna Netrebko-related on European continental TV - but I was too late to let you know in time . There is some very nice material coming up though, including some quite hilarious things

[mariannek]

Hi Gerrit,
I would have loved to hear Anna Netrebco and Rolando Villazon...what a shame he took ill !!
I still love my DUETS by them...do you have it ??

Love, Marianne

[gerrit]

Hi Marianne,

I think I have a video of Anna and Rolando somewhere - have to search through my records though.

On this Gala, there wasn't too much interaction between Anna and Rolando's replacement Ramon Vargas though (one duet), so I doubt you miss out on much, especially as Ramon is a quality singer in his own right.

Gerrit

[gerrit]

Hi All,

Well, I finally managed to upload coverage of this gala - you can find it at:

www.classicalrelatedperformances.com/annanetrebko.htm

I have uploaded the concert in the form of individual songs, so downloading will be easier. There's a total of 15 songs, with some tremendous highlights. In my view, Elina Garanca was the star of the show (not Anna Netrebko !)

My personal favourites are number 1 (duet Elina-Anna), number 5 (duet Ramon-Ludovic), number 6 (Flower duet Elina-Anna), number 7 (Pearlfisher duet Ramon-Ludovic) and number 8 (Mon coeur s'ouevre a ta voix - solo Elina). I also like the two quartets. The Drinking Song will provide a nice contrast with the performance by Natasha Marsh and Alfie Boe at the Classical Brits.

On the whole, this was just about the best ever concert I ever watched on television

Gerrit

[graemek]

Hi Gerrit hope all's well with you,

What a treat....I'm in the process of downloading the lot.

Marianne in particular loves Anna N. & Rolando V. so, all in all, really lovely to have. Thank you thank you & thank you.

Graeme (& Marianne...I've just told her what I'm doing)

[Dave]

Thank you very much Gerrit, for making available this Opera Gala. I've somehow missed out on this thread until recently but now, I shall download the videos.

I found this thread while searching for the main Anna Netrebko thread - which I will be posting in today - so to avoid cross-posting and possible duplication, I will lock this thread, link now to the main Netrebko thread and also I will link back from there to here.

Thanks once again for this!

Cheers, Dave