Thursday, March 5, 2026

Munich - Rigoletto - Premiere 7 March 2026






A rare electricity fills the winter air in Munich as the Bavarian capital prepares to unveil one of the most anticipated operatic events of recent years: the premiere of a visionary new production of Rigoletto on 7 March 2026 at the resplendent Bayerische Staatsoper. This new staging, entrusted to the celebrated Polish director Barbara Wysocka, promises not merely a revival of a beloved masterpiece, but a profound re-examination of one of the most psychologically complex and emotionally devastating works ever composed by Giuseppe Verdi.

Verdi and the birth of a masterpiece

When Verdi composed Rigoletto, he stood at a decisive crossroads in his artistic life. By 1850, he had already achieved fame across Italy, yet he had not fully entered the realm of immortality. That transformation would begin with this opera. Based on Le Roi s’amuse, the daring and controversial drama by Victor Hugo, Verdi encountered a story of shocking moral ambiguity: a corrupt ruler, a cynical court jester, and the innocent daughter whose purity becomes the tragic victim of power, cruelty, and fate.

The Austrian censors who governed northern Italy at the time were horrified. The idea of portraying a morally bankrupt monarch on stage was considered politically dangerous. Verdi was forced to relocate the drama from the French court to Renaissance Mantua and transform the king into a duke. Yet these compromises did nothing to diminish the work’s emotional force. When Rigoletto premiered on 11 March 1851 at the illustrious La Fenice, it was an immediate triumph.

Verdi himself later declared that Rigoletto was his most perfect opera. Even when reminded of his late masterpieces, he insisted on its supremacy. Yet he confessed, with touching humility, that if he were merely a spectator, La traviata would be the work closest to his heart. This dual confession reveals much about Verdi: the craftsman admired Rigoletto’s perfection, while the human being cherished the intimate emotional truth of his later creation.

But in Rigoletto, Verdi achieved something revolutionary. He shattered the traditional hierarchy of operatic characters. The protagonist was not a noble hero or romantic lover, but a disfigured court fool—bitter, sarcastic, wounded, and profoundly human. The opera explores themes of paternal love, moral corruption, revenge, innocence, and destiny with unprecedented psychological realism.

Musically, Verdi created melodies of extraordinary beauty and dramatic precision. The Duke’s cynical aria “La donna è mobile” became instantly famous, its deceptively charming melody masking profound cruelty. Gilda’s music radiates luminous innocence, especially in “Caro nome,” where her fragile hopes shimmer with youthful sincerity. And the great quartet of the third act remains one of the most astonishing ensembles in operatic history, four souls revealing contradictory emotions simultaneously, woven into a single tapestry of breathtaking musical architecture.

With Rigoletto, followed by Il trovatore and La traviata, Verdi entered what would later be called his “popular trilogy”—works that secured his eternal place in the pantheon of artistic genius.















The temple of opera in Munich

This new production unfolds within the magnificent Nationaltheater, the historic home of the Bavarian State Opera. This architectural jewel, rebuilt after the devastation of the Second World War, stands today as one of Europe’s most revered operatic temples. Its grand neoclassical façade conceals an interior of golden elegance, perfect acoustics, and an atmosphere steeped in centuries of musical devotion.

Within these walls have appeared the greatest singers, conductors, and composers in history. Wagner conducted here. Strauss premiered his works here. Generations of artists have transformed this stage into a sanctuary of human expression. To present a new Rigoletto here is not merely to perform an opera—it is to engage in dialogue with history itself.

Barbara Wysocka’s visionary return

The return of Barbara Wysocka to Munich marks a moment of artistic significance. Born in Warsaw, she first trained as a violinist before pursuing directing and acting in Kraków. Her artistic voice has since emerged as one of the most distinctive and intellectually compelling in contemporary European theatre and opera.

Her productions are renowned for their psychological intensity, visual sophistication, and fearless reinterpretation of canonical works. She does not treat opera as a museum artifact, but as a living, breathing form capable of confronting modern audiences with uncomfortable truths.

Her Munich debut in 2012 already caused a sensation, and her return in 2026 with Rigoletto carries enormous expectations. This production promises to explore the opera’s themes of power, abuse, and moral complicity with unsettling clarity. Under her guidance, the story of the court jester becomes not merely a Renaissance tragedy, but a timeless reflection on human vulnerability.

Conducting this new production is the distinguished Italian maestro Maurizio Benini, whose profound understanding of the Italian repertoire ensures musical authenticity of the highest order. His refined sense of phrasing and dramatic pacing will guide the Bavarian State Orchestra through Verdi’s extraordinary score with elegance and intensity.

A constellation of extraordinary voices

At the heart of this production stands an exceptional cast of international stars, each bringing their unique artistry to Verdi’s immortal characters.

Serena Sáenz — a radiant Gilda for the premiere

The honour of opening this new production falls upon the luminous Barcelona-born soprano Serena Sáenz, who will sing Gilda on 7, 11, 14, 17, 19, 22, and 24 March 2026. Her presence lends the premiere a special poetic resonance. A rising star of extraordinary refinement, she combines crystalline vocal purity with deeply expressive emotional intelligence.

Her voice, agile and radiant, seems uniquely suited to Gilda’s innocence and spiritual beauty. Having already triumphed at major houses including Vienna, Berlin, Madrid, and Barcelona, she now assumes one of Verdi’s most beloved heroines in Munich, marking another decisive step in her ascent toward operatic greatness. Her interpretation promises fragility, sincerity, and emotional truth of rare authenticity.

Nadine Sierra — a superlative interpreter of Verdi’s heroine

Later in the summer, on 28 and 31 July 2026, the role of Gilda will be performed by the internationally adored American soprano Nadine Sierra. One of the defining voices of her generation, she has conquered the world’s greatest stages—from Milan to Paris, from Berlin to New York—with her radiant tone, technical brilliance, and magnetic stage presence.

Her Gilda is already legendary, combining vocal perfection with profound dramatic sensitivity. Her recent performances alongside Ludovic Tézier demonstrated an extraordinary artistic chemistry, elevating their partnership into something approaching the sublime. Her arrival in Munich will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the operatic season.

Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar — the tragic jester

In the title role, the Mongolian baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar will embody Rigoletto on 7, 11, 14, 17, 19, and 24 March 2026. Winner of the Grand Prix at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, he possesses a voice of immense power and velvet richness. His interpretations are marked by emotional depth and dramatic authority.

Rigoletto demands not only vocal strength but profound psychological insight. Ganbaatar brings both in abundance, portraying the jester not as a caricature, but as a father whose love and despair define the opera’s tragic arc.

The Slovak baritone Dalibor Jenis will assume the role on 22 March 2026, offering his own distinguished interpretation shaped by decades of experience in the Verdi repertoire.

And in July, the incomparable French baritone Ludovic Tézier will take on the role. His artistry represents the pinnacle of vocal refinement. With his noble timbre and unparalleled interpretive intelligence, he transforms every role into a profound psychological portrait.

Bekhzod Davronov — the seductive Duke

The role of the Duke of Mantua will be sung by the Uzbek tenor Bekhzod Davronov, whose voice combines brilliance, elegance, and effortless lyricism. Winner of the prestigious Operalia competition prize, he has already appeared at the Bolshoi Theatre, the Vienna State Opera, and the Salzburg Festival.

The Duke is one of Verdi’s most dangerous creations—a charming predator whose beauty conceals moral emptiness. Davronov’s vocal allure will illuminate the character’s seductive cruelty with unsettling clarity.

The prestigious Maurizio Benini will be the conductor of this highly anticipated Verdi production.

A production destined for history

This new Munich Rigoletto represents the convergence of extraordinary artistic forces: a visionary director, a master conductor, a legendary opera house, and a cast of exceptional brilliance.

Yet beyond its artistic excellence lies something even more profound. Rigoletto is not merely a story of revenge. It is a meditation on love, innocence, and the devastating consequences of moral blindness. It confronts audiences with uncomfortable truths about power and vulnerability—truths that remain as relevant today as they were in Verdi’s time.

As the countdown to 7 March 2026 continues, anticipation reaches fever pitch. Opera lovers know they are about to witness not just a performance, but an event—one that will resonate long after the final notes fade into silence.

In the golden auditorium of Munich’s Nationaltheater, beneath its shimmering chandeliers and sacred stillness, Verdi’s masterpiece will live again—reborn through new voices, new vision, and eternal music.

And at the heart of it all, the fragile figure of Gilda—embodied by Serena Sáenz and Nadine Sierra—will remind us why Rigoletto remains, perhaps above all else, the most perfect expression of Verdi’s genius.





Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Girona - Nadine Sierra - 5th March 2026

























A fabulous recital awaits the audience in Girona on the 5th of march 2026  , a carefully crafted musical journey through styles, languages, centuries, and emotional worlds — all unified by the radiant artistry of the wonderful star Nadine Sierra and the refined partnership of pianist Vincenzo Scalera.

This program is not just varied — it is dramaturgically intelligent. It traces a path from youthful innocence to emotional awakening, from bel canto brilliance to verismo lyricism, from French elegance to Broadway exuberance and Latin American sensuality. It is a recital built not only to display vocal mastery, but to tell a story about womanhood, freedom, longing, wit, and transformation.


Youth and Radiant Innocence

Gounod – “Ah, je veux vivre” from Roméo et Juliette

The evening begins in a burst of youthful champagne with Charles Gounod’s sparkling waltz aria from Roméo et Juliette. “Ah, je veux vivre” captures Juliette at the very threshold of life — intoxicated by youth, defiant toward imposed marriage, and utterly alive.

Musically, this aria is a masterpiece of French Romantic lyricism. Its triple meter waltz rhythm gives it buoyancy and brilliance, while the coloratura writing demands crystalline agility. The soprano must articulate rapid scales, trills, and leaps with effortless precision while maintaining a girlish freshness of tone.

For Sierra’s lyric coloratura instrument, this aria is ideal. Her voice possesses that rare combination: flexibility without thinness, brilliance without sharpness, and an upper register that blooms rather than pierces. She can spin the florid passages with ease while preserving the character’s innocence. The French diction — delicate and fluid — suits her naturally luminous timbre.

This is not just vocal display; it is character embodied in sound.


Dream and Suspended Time

Puccini – “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” from La rondine

From effervescent youth, the recital moves into the suspended dreamscape of Giacomo Puccini’s aria from La rondine.

Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” is deceptive. On the surface, it seems simple and lyrical. In reality, it demands supreme control. The soprano must sustain long, arching phrases in seamless legato, culminating in floated high notes sung pianissimo — notes that must shimmer rather than dominate.

Sierra’s breath control and ability to “float” high tones make this repertoire particularly flattering for her. Her upper register does not merely reach the note; it caresses it. In Puccini, this quality is everything. The aria’s final ascent requires not volume but emotional suspension — a sense of time stopping. That quality of poised stillness is one of Sierra’s greatest artistic strengths.


Wit, Fire, and Bel Canto Precision

Donizetti – “Quel guardo il cavaliere” from Don Pasquale

The mood pivots dramatically with Gaetano Donizetti’s comic tour de force from Don Pasquale.

Here we encounter Norina — playful, intelligent, and deliciously manipulative. The aria begins in mock-romantic sweetness before exploding into brilliant cabaletta fireworks. Trills must sparkle like laughter; runs must snap with precision; character shifts must feel spontaneous.

This repertoire lies squarely within Sierra’s comfort zone. As a bel canto specialist, she commands the technical apparatus required: rapid articulation, perfectly placed staccati, and secure top notes that crown the cabaletta with flair. But beyond technique, she understands the theatrical wit embedded in the music. Her natural stage charisma transforms this aria into living theater, even in recital format.


Rossini at the Piano

Danse Sibérienne

Vincenzo Scalera then takes center stage with a solo by Gioachino Rossini, drawn from the composer’s late piano works — the witty and inventive Péchés de vieillesse. “Danse Sibérienne” reveals Rossini’s humor, rhythmic vitality, and unexpected harmonic turns.

These salon pieces were written for Rossini’s famed Saturday gatherings in Paris, attended by luminaries of the era. They combine elegance with subtle irony — qualities that a pianist of Scalera’s refinement can bring to life with nuance and charm.


Violetta Valéry - The Defining Role

Verdi – “È strano… Ah, fors’è lui… Sempre libera” from La traviata

The emotional centerpiece of the evening arrives with Violetta’s Act I scena from La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi.

Few roles are as closely associated with Nadine Sierra today as Violetta Valéry. Her performances in major houses have established her as one of the defining interpreters of this role in her generation. The Act I finale is among the most demanding sequences in the soprano repertoire: it combines introspective lyricism (“Ah, fors’è lui”) with dazzling coloratura brilliance (“Sempre libera”).

This duality suits Sierra profoundly. Her lyrical warmth allows her to shape the introspective cantabile with emotional sincerity, while her technical brilliance equips her to conquer the virtuosic cabaletta — including the exposed high notes that crown the piece.

It is not simply a vocal feat. It is psychological transformation in real time: from doubt to defiance, from vulnerability to reckless freedom. In recital format, the drama becomes intensely personal.

In September of this year, Nadine Sierra will once again be La Traviata at none other than the temple of opera, La Scala.

The anticipation surrounding the September and October 2026 performances of La Traviata at La Scala in Milan is immense because it represents the perfect convergence of a voice at its zenith, a historic temple of opera, and a legendary production.

These performances are already considered a historic milestone: Although Nadine Sierra has triumphed at the Metropolitan Opera in America and Europe with this role, singing Violetta Valéry at La Scala is the ultimate test. Sierra is celebrated for a technique that allows her to overcome the three vocal challenges of the role: the light coloratura of the first act, the dramatic lyricism of the second, and the heartbreaking fragility of the third. Her performance is known for being "lively" and emotionally raw, something that the Milanese public (famous for its demanding nature) deeply values ​​when combined with technical rigor.

 Liliana Cavani's Production

The iconic staging by Liliana Cavani, which is part of the theater's DNA, is revived.

It is a cinematic production, rich in detail and deeply poetic, which respects the 19th-century essence of the work but with a modern theatrical sensibility.

This production evokes the great nights of La Scala, a stage where the shadow of Maria Callas and Visconti's legendary 1953 direction still loom over every new Traviata.  

I was lucky enough to see it live in July 2007 with the two sopranos alternating the role, Angela Gheorghiu and Elena Mosuc. Those were unforgettable days in Milan, memories that will always be etched in my mind. It remains one of the best productions of La Traviata I've ever seen. Now we can enjoy this wonderful production again with Nadine Sierra's luminous voice.



Spanish Spark and Brazilian Soul

“Me llaman la primorosa” from El barbero de Sevilla (Giménez/Nieto)

This zarzuela showpiece brings Iberian flair and rhythmic bite. Its polonaise-like structure, playful ornamentation, and brilliant high notes demand agility and theatrical sparkle. Sierra’s bright timbre and rhythmic precision make this repertoire shine, while her expressive intelligence avoids caricature.

Villa-Lobos – “Melodia Sentimental”

From the suite Floresta do Amazonas by Heitor Villa-Lobos, this piece shifts into introspective lyricism. Long melodic arcs and subtle harmonic colors evoke vast landscapes and emotional longing. Sierra’s legato and tonal purity make her an ideal interpreter of such intimate repertoire.


Crossing into Broadway and Song

Loewe – “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady

From My Fair Lady by Frederick Loewe, this anthem of transformation radiates joy. Though written for musical theater, it demands classical breath support and sustained high phrases.

Sierra’s ease above the staff allows the climactic phrases to soar without strain. Her innate warmth and communicative presence make this piece a bridge between opera aficionados and broader audiences.

Gershwin – “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess

Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin offers velvety lyricism and subtle jazz inflection. Sierra’s ability to soften her timbre and phrase intimately allows this lullaby to unfold with understated beauty.


Latin American Lyricism

Manuel Ponce – Intermezzo No. 1 (Piano Solo)

Manuel Ponce – “Estrellita”

Manuel Ponce bridges European romanticism and Mexican lyric tradition. “Estrellita” in particular requires simplicity without sentimentality. Sierra’s refined phrasing ensures sincerity rather than excess.

And to conclude the wonderful recital, a much-anticipated gem that will provide the perfect ending.....The Brazilian jewel of the evening:  Ernani Braga – “Engenho Novo!”

This Brazilian concert piece combines rhythmic vitality and soaring vocal lines. It demands stamina and stylistic flexibility — qualities Sierra possesses in abundance. This is the story of how a melody from the sugar workers' fields traveled to the most prestigious stages in the world, thanks to two key women.

"Engenho Novo" (New Mill) is not an original composition in the strictest sense, but rather a masterful stylization by Ernani Braga. The piece is part of her cycle Cinco Canções Nordestinas do Folclore Brasileiro (Five Northeastern Songs of Brazilian Folklore), where Braga took work songs and popular melodies from northeastern Brazil and elevated them to the format of an "art song" for piano and voice.

Clara Souviron

Although today we almost exclusively associate the song with Bidú Sayão, the technical premiere and official dedication belong to another artist.

Braga's original score is dedicated to Clara Souviron, a Bolivian soprano and pianist who lived in Brazil. Souviron was the first to present these pieces in South American concert circles in the late 1930s. She represented Braga's academic vision, but the song was not yet the global phenomenon it would become.

Bidú Sayão

The turning point came when Bidú Sayão, already established as the "Soprano of Brazil" at the Metropolitan Opera, embraced the piece.

Sayão transformed "Engenho Novo" into her signature encore. Her ability to mimic the mechanical rhythm of the mill with perfect diction and playful charm captivated the New York audience.

In 1947, she recorded the work for Columbia Masterworks (now available in Sony Classical collections). It was this recording that set the standard for performance: a blend of rhythmic virtuosity and lyrical elegance.

Sayão used her fame to "export" Brazilian nationalism. While other singers viewed these pieces as folkloric curiosities, she treated them with the same technical seriousness as an aria by Mozart or Puccini.

Today, Nadine Sierra carries on this legacy. By including "Engenho Novo" in her recitals, she not only pays homage to Braga, but specifically to Sayão's interpretive style. The piece demands the "stamina" mentioned because the rhythm is relentless, and Sierra, like Sayão before her, uses her vocal brilliance to ensure the song sounds not just like a rhythmic exercise, but like a true operatic showcase.


A Voice Perfectly Matched to the Program

What makes this recital extraordinary is not only the repertoire but how exquisitely it suits Sierra’s instrument:

  • Upper Register: Brilliant yet rounded, capable of both fireworks and floated pianissimi.

  • Coloratura Agility: Clean articulation, secure trills, and effortless leaps.

  • Legato Line: Particularly radiant in Puccini and Villa-Lobos.

  • Stylistic Versatility: French elegance, Italian bel canto, Verdi drama, Spanish sparkle, Broadway warmth.

  • Stage Presence: Even in recital, she projects narrative and character.

The public in the city of Girona will not merely hear famous arias. They will experience emotional transformation — from laughter to longing, from brilliance to intimacy. The architecture of the program ensures constant contrast while maintaining coherence.

This is the kind of recital that leaves audiences exhilarated, moved, and deeply grateful. An evening where virtuosity meets heart, and where every stylistic shift reveals another facet of an exceptional artist at the height of her powers.

Ce qui attend le public à Gérone le 5, ce n'est pas un simple récital, mais un voyage musical soigneusement orchestré à travers les styles, les langues, les siècles et les univers émotionnels – le tout unifié par le talent rayonnant de Nadine Sierra et la complicité raffinée du pianiste Vincenzo Scalera.

Ce programme est non seulement varié, mais aussi d'une grande intelligence dramaturgique. Il retrace un parcours allant de l'innocence de la jeunesse à l'éveil des émotions, de la splendeur du bel canto au lyrisme du vérisme, de l'élégance française à l'exubérance de Broadway et à la sensualité latino-américaine. C'est un récital conçu non seulement pour mettre en valeur la maîtrise vocale, mais aussi pour raconter une histoire de féminité, de liberté, de désir, d'esprit et de transformation.

Jeunesse et Innocence Rayonnante

Gounod – « Ah, je veux vivre » extrait de Roméo et Juliette

La soirée débute en apothéose avec l'air de valse pétillant de Charles Gounod, tiré de Roméo et Juliette. « Ah, je veux vivre » saisit Juliette à l'aube de sa vie – enivrée par la jeunesse, rebelle face au mariage imposé et pleinement vivante.

Musicalement, cet air est un chef-d'œuvre du lyrisme romantique français. Son rythme de valse à trois temps lui confère légèreté et éclat, tandis que l'écriture colorature exige une agilité cristalline. La soprano doit articuler gammes rapides, trilles et sauts avec une précision naturelle, tout en conservant une fraîcheur juvénile.

Pour la voix de colorature lyrique de Sierra, cet air est idéal. Sa voix possède cette rare combinaison : souplesse sans faiblesse, éclat sans agressivité, et un registre aigu qui s'épanouit sans percer. Elle peut déployer les passages fleuris avec aisance tout en préservant l'innocence du personnage. La diction française – délicate et fluide – s'accorde parfaitement à son timbre naturellement lumineux.

Il ne s'agit pas simplement d'une prouesse vocale ; c'est un personnage incarné par le son.

Rêve et Temps Suspendu

Puccini – « Chi il bel sogno di Doretta » extrait de La rondine

Après une jeunesse pétillante, le récital nous transporte dans l’univers onirique et suspendu de l’aria de Giacomo Puccini tirée de La rondine.

« Chi il bel sogno di Doretta » est trompeur. En apparence simple et lyrique, il exige en réalité une maîtrise absolue. La soprano doit soutenir de longues phrases amples et fluides dans un legato impeccable, culminant en notes aiguës aériennes chantées pianissimo – des notes qui doivent scintiller plutôt que dominer.

Le contrôle du souffle de Sierra et sa capacité à faire « flotter » les aigus rendent ce répertoire particulièrement flatteur pour elle. Son registre aigu n’atteint pas simplement la note ; il la caresse. Chez Puccini, cette qualité est essentielle. L’ascension finale de l’aria requiert non pas du volume, mais une suspension émotionnelle – une impression d’arrêt du temps. Cette qualité d’immobilité sereine est l’une des plus grandes forces artistiques de Sierra.

Esprit, fougue et précision du bel canto

Donizetti – « Quel guardo il cavaliere » extrait de Don Pasquale

L’atmosphère change radicalement avec ce tour de force comique de Gaetano Donizetti tiré de Don Pasquale.

Nous y découvrons Norina – espiègle, intelligente et délicieusement manipulatrice. L’aria débute sur une note faussement romantique avant d’exploser en un feu d’artifice de cabalette. Les trilles doivent pétiller comme des rires ; les vocalises, claquer avec précision ; les changements de personnage, paraître spontanés.

Ce répertoire est parfaitement adapté au style de Sierra. Spécialiste du bel canto, elle maîtrise l’appareil technique requis : articulation rapide, staccati parfaitement placés et aigus assurés qui couronnent la cabalette de panache. Mais au-delà de la technique, elle saisit toute la dimension théâtrale de la musique. Son charisme naturel transforme cet air en un véritable spectacle vivant, même en récital.

Rossini au piano

Danse sibérienne

Vincenzo Scalera interprète ensuite un solo de Gioachino Rossini, extrait des dernières œuvres pour piano du compositeur : les spirituels et inventifs Péchés de vieillesse. La « Danse sibérienne » révèle l’humour, la vitalité rythmique et les harmonies inattendues de Rossini.

Ces pièces de salon furent écrites pour les célèbres réunions du samedi de Rossini à Paris, fréquentées par les personnalités de l’époque. Elles allient élégance et ironie subtile, qualités qu’un pianiste du raffinement de Scalera sait faire éclore avec nuance et charme.

Le rôle emblématique

Verdi – « È strano… Ah, fors’è lui… Sempre libera » de La traviata

Le point culminant émotionnel de la soirée arrive avec la scène de Violetta au premier acte de La traviata de Giuseppe Verdi.

Peu de rôles sont aujourd’hui aussi étroitement associés à Nadine Sierra que Violetta Valéry. Ses prestations dans les plus grandes maisons d'opéra l'ont consacrée comme l'une des interprètes les plus marquantes de ce rôle de sa génération. Le finale du premier acte compte parmi les passages les plus exigeants du répertoire pour soprano : il allie un lyrisme introspectif (« Ah, fors’è lui ») à une virtuosité vocale éblouissante (« Sempre libera »).

Cette dualité sied à merveille à Sierra. La chaleur de sa voix lui permet d'incarner le cantabile introspectif avec une sincérité émotionnelle profonde, tandis que sa virtuosité technique lui permet de maîtriser la cabalette virtuose, notamment les aigus exposés qui couronnent l'œuvre.

Il ne s'agit pas simplement d'une prouesse vocale. C'est une transformation psychologique en temps réel : du doute à la rébellion, de la vulnérabilité à une liberté effrénée. En récital, le drame devient intensément personnel.

Étincelle espagnole et âme brésilienne

« Me llaman la primorosa » extrait d'El barbero de Sevilla (Giménez/Nieto)

Cette zarzuela virtuose déploie une élégance ibérique et un rythme mordant. Sa structure proche de la polonaise, ses ornements enjoués et ses aigus brillants exigent agilité et éclat théâtral. Le timbre lumineux et la précision rythmique de Sierra font resplendir ce répertoire, tandis que son intelligence expressive évite toute caricature.

Villa-Lobos – « Melodia Sentimental »

Extrait de la suite Floresta do Amazonas d'Heitor Villa-Lobos, ce morceau bascule dans un lyrisme introspectif. De longs arcs mélodiques et des couleurs harmoniques subtiles évoquent de vastes paysages et une profonde nostalgie. Le legato et la pureté du timbre de Sierra font d'elle une interprète idéale pour ce répertoire intimiste.

Passage à Broadway et à la chanson

Loewe – « I Could Have Danced All Night » extrait de My Fair Lady

Tiré de My Fair Lady de Frederick Loewe, cet hymne à la transformation rayonne de joie. Bien qu'écrit pour la comédie musicale, il exige un soutien respiratoire classique et des phrases aiguës soutenues.

L'aisance de Sierra dans les aigus permet aux phrases culminantes de s'élever sans effort. Sa chaleur naturelle et sa présence communicative font de cette pièce un pont entre les mélomanes et un public plus large.

Gershwin – « Summertime » extrait de Porgy and Bess

Porgy and Bess de George Gershwin offre un lyrisme velouté et une subtile inflexion jazz. La capacité de Sierra à adoucir son timbre et à phraser avec intimité permet à cette berceuse de se déployer avec une beauté discrète.

Lyrisme latino-américain

Manuel Ponce – Intermezzo n° 1 (Piano solo)

Ponce – « Estrellita »

Manuel Ponce fait le lien entre le romantisme européen et la tradition lyrique mexicaine. « Estrellita », en particulier, exige une simplicité sans sentimentalité. Le phrasé raffiné de Sierra garantit la sincérité plutôt que l'excès.

Braga – « Engenho Novo ! »

Cette pièce de concert brésilienne allie vitalité rythmique et envolées vocales. Elle requiert endurance et flexibilité stylistique – qualités que Sierra possède en abondance.

Une voix parfaitement adaptée au programme

Ce qui rend ce récital extraordinaire, ce n'est pas seulement le répertoire, mais aussi l'harmonie exquise avec l'instrument de Sierra :

Registre aigu : Brillant et rond à la fois, capable de prouesses techniques et de pianissimi aériens.

Agilité de colorature : Articulation précise, trilles assurés et sauts d'une grande fluidité.

Ligne legato : Particulièrement rayonnante chez Puccini et Villa-Lobos.

Polyvalence stylistique : Élégance française, bel canto italien, drame verdien, éclat espagnol, chaleur de Broadway.

Présence scénique : Même en récital, elle projette une narration et une personnalité captivantes.

À Gérone, le public ne se contentera pas d'entendre des airs célèbres. Il vivra une véritable transformation émotionnelle, passant du rire à la nostalgie, de la virtuosité à l'intimité. La structure du programme assure un contraste constant tout en préservant sa cohérence.

Ce récital laisse le public exalté, ému et profondément reconnaissant. Une soirée où la virtuosité rencontre l'émotion, et où chaque changement de style révèle une nouvelle facette d'une artiste exceptionnelle au sommet de son art.










Monday, March 2, 2026

Moscow - Marco Spada - Pierre Lacotte

A Night of Radiant Classicism: Marco Spada at the Bolshoi

There are evenings at the theatre that remind us why ballet endures as one of the most refined and complete art forms. The recent performance of Marco Spada at the Teatro Bolshói was such an evening — a rare convergence of history, musical brilliance, choreographic intelligence and the luminous talent of four remarkable young artists: Makar Mikhalkin, Alexei Putintsev, Anastasia Smirnova and Yaroslavna Kuprina. The principal dancer Dmitry Vyskubenko was the star of the evening as the Prince and his superb dancing style.

In Pierre Lacotte’s meticulous reconstruction, Marco Spada emerges not merely as a charming relic of the nineteenth century, but as a living jewel of the classical repertoire. Lacotte, with his profound understanding of Romantic style, restores the ballet’s theatrical wit, structural elegance and stylistic finesse, allowing modern audiences to experience the sophistication of French classicism revitalized through Russian excellence.

A Ballet d’Action with Theatrical Wit

Originally conceived at the Paris Opéra, Marco Spada is a true ballet d’action, in which dance serves narrative purpose. Its connection to the world of commedia dell’arte infuses the work with humor, intrigue and vivid characterization. The choreography is rich in ensemble writing, virtuosic variations and dramatic interplay, offering abundant opportunities for interpreters to display both technical command and theatrical intelligence.

Historically, the ballet was mounted in part to showcase — and subtly dramatize — the supposed rivalry between two Italian prime ballerinas of the Paris Opéra, Amalia Ferraris and Carolina Rosati. This context lends particular resonance to the celebrated scene in which two ballerinas execute parallel, increasingly demanding passages while observing one another with refined theatrical awareness. It is an ingenious moment: virtuosity intertwined with dramaturgy, competition elevated to art.

In this performance, that scene became one of the evening’s most exquisite highlights.

The Musical Treasure of Auber

The score, drawn largely from the music of Daniel-François-Esprit Auber, is itself a delight. Fragments from his operas Fra Diavolo and La Muette de Portici are woven seamlessly into the ballet’s structure.

From Fra Diavolo comes buoyant charm, melodic sparkle and elegant rhythmic vitality. From La Muette de Portici emerges a broader lyrical sweep, tinged with dramatic nobility. The result is a score replete with delicious variations, refined waltzes and passages of irresistible theatrical flair. The music does not merely accompany the dance; it animates it, shapes it and elevates it.

In the Bolshoi’s grand auditorium — illuminated in gold, alive with anticipation — the marriage of choreography and score felt complete.


Dmitry Vyskubenko , Alexei Putintsev , Yaroslavna Kuprina , 

Makar Mikhalkin, Anastasia Smirnova 

Young Artists, One Exceptional Constellation

What transformed this already magnificent work into an unforgettable evening was the presence of four young artists whose gifts complement one another while remaining distinctly individual.

Dmitry Vyskubenko ( principal dancer )  shone in his role as the prince. The company's magnificent principal dancer is considered a superb dancer for his extraordinary combination of classical lineage, athletic precision, and remarkable expressive versatility, which allows him to master both traditional and contemporary repertoire.

Makar Mikhalkin embodies classical nobility. His line is pure, his placement immaculate, his technique secure without ostentation. There is a serenity in his movement that reflects deep discipline and years of devoted training. His turns are steady, his elevation clean, and his partnering attentive and generous. He dances not for display, but for the integrity of the style — and this restraint grants him quiet authority.

Alexei Putintsev, by contrast, radiates brilliance and dynamic vitality. His allegro is sparkling, his jumps buoyant and expansive, his pirouettes daring yet controlled. But beyond virtuosity lies an acute musical sensitivity. He phrases with intelligence, shapes crescendos physically and responds to rhythmic nuance with precision. His charisma feels organic — born of confidence, preparation and genuine artistic commitment.

Anastasia Smirnova brings refinement and radiance to the stage. Her upper body is exquisitely sculpted, her arms breathe with lyricism, and her balances unfold with assurance. In technical passages, her control is evident; in dramatic exchanges, her intelligence shines. During the mirrored variation scene, she combined clarity of execution with subtle theatrical awareness, engaging both her partner and the audience in a dialogue of elegance and wit.

Yaroslavna Kuprina possesses lyrical amplitude and commanding presence. Her extensions bloom generously, her turns in attitude are secure and sustained, and her phrasing flows naturally from the music. She dances with both softness and authority — a rare duality. In moments of stillness, she allows the score to resonate; in passages of brilliance, she rises to the challenge with serene confidence.

Together, these four artists created not merely a cast, but a constellation. Each distinct, yet united in stylistic coherence and artistic sincerity.


The Bolshoi at Its Most Splendid

The production itself — with its opulent décor and finely crafted costumes — enhances the ballet’s historical atmosphere. The visual richness, combined with the discipline and expressive strength of the Bolshoi dancers, produces a synthesis of French Romantic elegance and Russian classical grandeur.

On this particular night, the vast auditorium seemed to glow not only with chandeliers and gilded balconies, but with artistic electricity. The curtain calls — greeted by an enthusiastic, standing audience — felt entirely earned.

Talent of this caliber does not arise by chance. Behind the beauty lies sacrifice, relentless rehearsal, physical endurance and artistic reflection. What the audience witnessed was not only youthful promise, but already a level of maturity that suggests enduring careers.

For lovers of classical ballet — of pure line, musical intelligence, technical excellence and theatrical sophistication — this was a night to treasure.

A jewel of the repertoire.
A celebration of French and Russian tradition.
Four radiant young stars, shining together on one of the world’s most illustrious stages.

An unforgettable evening of ballet at its finest.

Hay ballets que se disfrutan por su virtuosismo técnico, otros por su belleza musical, y algunos —los más raros— por la armonía perfecta entre historia, coreografía y música. Marco Spada, en la versión de Pierre Lacotte, pertenece sin duda a esta última categoría.

El Teatro Bolshói tiene la fortuna de contar en su repertorio con esta obra deliciosa, refinada y teatral, que conjuga la tradición francesa con la escuela rusa al más alto nivel. La producción, con decorados y vestuario realizados con gran cuidado y riqueza visual, envuelve la escena en un ambiente vibrante, colorido y elegante, fiel al espíritu del ballet de acción del siglo XIX.

Un ballet de acción con sabor a commedia dell’arte

Marco Spada es, en esencia, un ballet d’action: la danza no es mero adorno, sino vehículo narrativo. La trama —con ecos de la commedia dell’arte— ofrece innumerables posibilidades interpretativas. Personajes vivos, situaciones teatrales ingeniosas y escenas de conjunto cuidadosamente construidas permiten a los intérpretes desplegar tanto virtuosismo técnico como presencia dramática.

En su origen, la obra fue concebida en la Ópera de París también como un marco para escenificar la supuesta rivalidad entre dos primeras bailarinas italianas, Amalia Ferraris y Carolina Rosati. Ese contexto histórico da un matiz fascinante a ciertas escenas del ballet, especialmente a aquellas en las que dos figuras femeninas dialogan coreográficamente a través de variaciones paralelas.

Resulta particularmente ingenioso ese momento en que ambas ejecutan los mismos pasos —con dificultad creciente— y una observa a la otra, casi desafiándola con elegancia. El público no solo contempla virtuosismo; presencia un juego escénico cargado de intención. Es una auténtica joya coreográfica: refinada, inteligente y profundamente teatral.

La música: Auber y el encanto de la ópera francesa

La partitura es otro de los grandes tesoros de Marco Spada. Basada principalmente en música de Daniel-François-Esprit Auber, el ballet incorpora fragmentos de dos de sus óperas más célebres: Fra Diavolo y La Muette de Portici.

Efectivamente, pueden reconocerse pasajes provenientes de ambas obras, integrados con gran inteligencia en la estructura coreográfica. Fra Diavolo, con su vivacidad melódica y su elegancia ligera, aporta brío, carácter y un perfume típicamente francés. La Muette de Portici, por su parte, añade un lirismo más amplio y dramático, recordándonos la capacidad de Auber para escribir música teatralmente poderosa y refinada al mismo tiempo.

El resultado es una sucesión de variaciones exquisitas, melodías encantadoras y números de conjunto de irresistible musicalidad. La partitura está literalmente plagada de momentos deliciosos que sostienen e inspiran la danza. No es exagerado afirmar que estamos ante una auténtica joya musical dentro del repertorio coreográfico.

Una velada memorable

Cuando una obra de esta riqueza histórica y musical se encuentra con intérpretes jóvenes de gran talento, el resultado puede ser extraordinario. La escuela rusa, con su rigor técnico y su amplitud de línea, dialoga aquí con la elegancia del ballet francés reconstruido por Lacotte, creando una síntesis fascinante.

El Bolshói demuestra una vez más su capacidad para abrazar tradiciones diversas y hacerlas propias. La energía, la precisión y el carisma de sus bailarines elevan la coreografía, mientras la escenografía y el vestuario refuerzan la sensación de estar ante un espectáculo completo, coherente y cuidadosamente concebido.

Hay noches en que el ballet recuerda por qué es un arte total: música, historia, teatro y danza fundidos en una experiencia única. Esta representación de Marco Spada fue, sin duda, una de esas veladas.

La magia del ballet francés renacida en Moscú, el talento ruso al más alto nivel y la inspiración musical de Auber se unieron para ofrecer una función que permanecerá en la memoria como una auténtica celebración del arte coreográfico.

Marco Spada - Feb 2026 

There are evenings at the theatre that remain pleasant memories. And then there are those rare performances that feel almost historic in their intensity — evenings when talent, opportunity, repertoire and artistic maturity align with breathtaking clarity.

Such was the recent performance of Marco Spada at the Teatro Bolshói, where four of the company’s most compelling young artists — Makar Mikhalkin, Alexei Putintsev, Anastasia Smirnova and Yaroslavna Kuprina — shared the stage in a performance that embodied the very essence of classical ballet.

Makar Mikhalkin – Nobility of Line and Quiet Authority

Makar Mikhalkin brings to the stage a rare combination of classical purity and inner strength. His technique is clean, secure and unforced — never demonstrative for its own sake, but always at the service of style. There is a nobility in his line, an academic clarity in his placements, and a remarkable steadiness in turns and elevation.

What distinguishes him further is his composure. He dances with the assurance of someone deeply grounded in the discipline of the Russian school, yet without rigidity. His partnering reveals attentiveness and generosity — qualities that speak not only of talent, but of humility and sacrifice. One senses the years of disciplined work behind the apparent ease.

Alexei Putintsev – Brilliance, Precision and Musical Fire

If Mikhalkin embodies quiet authority, Alexei Putintsev radiates brilliance. His allegro has sparkle; his jumps possess buoyancy and amplitude; his turns are both precise and daring. Yet beyond technical command lies something even more compelling: an acute musical intelligence.

Putintsev listens with his entire body. Phrasing, accents, suspensions — everything is articulated with sensitivity to the score. In Marco Spada, where musical nuance is essential, he demonstrated how virtuosity can coexist with refinement. His charisma is immediate, but never superficial; it is anchored in craftsmanship and in a visible commitment to artistic growth.

Anastasia Smirnova – Radiance, Refinement and Dramatic Intelligence

Anastasia Smirnova’s presence is luminous. From her first entrance, she commands attention not through exaggeration, but through clarity of intention and refinement of detail. Her upper body is exquisitely shaped; her arms breathe; her épaulement speaks.

Technically, she combines balance, control and fluidity. Her développés unfold with lyricism, her turns are secure and musical, and her footwork remains articulate and precise. Yet what elevates her artistry is dramatic intelligence. She understands structure, builds phrases thoughtfully, and interacts on stage with a responsiveness that gives life to the choreography.

In the celebrated scene where two ballerinas mirror and subtly challenge one another — a delicious nod to the ballet’s historical origins — her ability to observe, respond and project across the stage revealed both confidence and generosity. It was classical ballet in its purest, most elegant form.

Yaroslavna Kuprina – Lyrical Authority and Classical Grandeur

Yaroslavna Kuprina possesses that rare gift of combining lyrical softness with commanding presence. Her lines are expansive; her balances sustained; her turns in attitude and extensions unfold with confidence and control. There is amplitude in her movement, but also delicacy.

What is most striking is her authority. Even in youth, she dances with a sense of inevitability — as though the choreography flows naturally through her. In passages requiring brilliance, she delivers with assurance; in moments of repose, she allows the music to breathe. Her musicality feels organic rather than calculated.

In the shared variation scene, the dialogue between the two ballerinas became one of the evening’s true treasures: difficult steps executed with serenity, glances exchanged with theatrical wit, and a shared understanding that elevated the moment beyond mere display.

A Celebration of Classical Ballet at Its Finest

Marco Spada, in the reconstruction by Pierre Lacotte, demands stylistic integrity, theatrical intelligence and technical resilience. It is a ballet steeped in history, shaped by the elegance of French classicism and revived through Russian excellence.

On this particular evening, the synthesis was complete. The splendour of the production, the delicious score drawn from the music of Daniel-François-Esprit Auber, and the dedication of these four artists created an atmosphere that felt both celebratory and profound.

Talent alone does not produce such performances. Behind the polish lie years of sacrifice, repetition, physical discipline and artistic reflection. What the audience witnessed was not only promise, but already a level of mastery that suggests luminous futures.

For those who cherish classical ballet in its most authentic form — purity of line, musical sensitivity, technical excellence and dramatic clarity — this was an unforgettable evening.

A rare constellation of young stars, shining together on one of the world’s most illustrious stages.

A true marvel of classical art.

Marco Spada: A Jewel of Romantic Ballet in the Bolshoi Repertoire

Some ballets are enjoyed for their technical virtuosity, others for their musical beauty, and a few—the rarest—for the perfect harmony between story, choreography, and music. Marco Spada, in Pierre Lacotte's version, undoubtedly belongs to this last category.

The Bolshoi Theatre is fortunate to have this delightful, refined, and theatrical work in its repertoire, a ballet that combines French tradition with the Russian school at the highest level. The production, with its meticulously crafted sets and costumes, creates a visually rich and vibrant atmosphere, enveloping the stage in a colorful and elegant ambiance, true to the spirit of 19th-century ballet d'action.

A Ballet d'action with a Commedia dell'arte Flavor

Marco Spada is, in essence, a ballet d'action: the dance is not mere embellishment, but a narrative vehicle. The plot—with echoes of commedia dell'arte—offers countless interpretive possibilities. Lively characters, ingenious theatrical situations, and carefully constructed ensemble scenes allow the performers to display both technical virtuosity and dramatic presence.

Originally, the work was conceived at the Paris Opera as a framework for staging the supposed rivalry between two Italian prima ballerinas, Amalia Ferraris and Carolina Rosati. This historical context lends a fascinating nuance to certain scenes in the ballet, especially those in which two female figures engage in a choreographic dialogue through parallel variations.

The moment when both execute the same steps—with increasing difficulty—and one observes the other, almost elegantly challenging her, is particularly ingenious. The audience witnesses not only virtuosity but also a theatrical interplay charged with intention. It is a true choreographic gem: refined, intelligent, and profoundly theatrical.

The music: Auber and the allure of French opera

The score is another of Marco Spada's great treasures. Based primarily on music by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber, the ballet incorporates fragments from two of his most celebrated operas: Fra Diavolo and La Muette de Portici.

Indeed, passages from both works can be recognized, integrated with great intelligence into the choreographic structure. Fra Diavolo, with its melodic vivacity and light elegance, contributes spirit, character, and a distinctly French flair. La Muette de Portici, for its part, adds a broader and more dramatic lyricism, reminding us of Auber's ability to write music that is both theatrically powerful and refined.

The result is a succession of exquisite variations, enchanting melodies, and ensemble numbers of irresistible musicality. The score is literally brimming with delightful moments that sustain and inspire the dance. It is no exaggeration to say that we are in the presence of a true musical gem within the choreographic repertoire.

A Memorable Evening

When a work of such historical and musical richness encounters highly talented young performers, the result can be extraordinary. The Russian school, with its technical rigor and breadth of line, engages in dialogue here with the elegance of French ballet as reconstructed by Lacotte, creating a captivating synthesis.

The Bolshoi once again demonstrates its ability to embrace diverse traditions and make them its own. The energy, precision, and charisma of its dancers elevate the choreography, while the set design and costumes reinforce the feeling of witnessing a complete, coherent, and meticulously conceived spectacle.

There are nights when ballet reminds us why it is a total art form: music, history, theater, and dance fused into a unique experience. This performance by Marco Spada was undoubtedly one of those evenings.

The magic of French ballet reborn in Moscow, Russian talent at its finest, and Auber's musical inspiration combined to offer a performance that will remain in our memories as a true celebration of choreographic art.

Исключительный вечер в Большом театре: четыре восходящие звезды в балете «Марко Спада»

Бывают вечера в театре, которые остаются приятными воспоминаниями. А бывают и такие редкие спектакли, которые кажутся почти историческими по своей интенсивности — вечера, когда талант, возможности, репертуар и художественная зрелость сливаются воедино с захватывающей дух ясностью.

Таким был недавний спектакль «Марко Спада» в Большом театре, где четыре самых ярких молодых артиста труппы — Макар Михалкин, Алексей Путинцев, Анастасия Смирнова и Ярославна Куприна — разделили сцену в представлении, воплотившем саму суть классического балета.

Макар Михалкин — Благородство линии и спокойная уверенность

Макар Михалкин демонстрирует на сцене редкое сочетание классической чистоты и внутренней силы. Его техника чиста, уверенна и непринужденна — никогда не демонстративна ради самой демонстрации, но всегда служит стилю. В его линиях чувствуется благородство, в расстановке фигур – академическая ясность, а в поворотах и ​​подъемах – удивительная устойчивость.

Еще больше его отличает спокойствие. Он танцует с уверенностью человека, глубоко укоренившегося в дисциплине русской школы, но без скованности. Его партнерские выступления демонстрируют внимательность и великодушие – качества, которые говорят не только о таланте, но и о смирении и самопожертвовании. За кажущейся легкостью чувствуется многолетняя дисциплинированная работа.

Алексей Путинцев – Блеск, точность и музыкальный огонь

Если Михалкин олицетворяет собой тихую власть, то Алексей Путинцев излучает блеск. Его аллегро искрится; его прыжки обладают легкостью и амплитудой; его повороты одновременно точны и смелы. Но за техническим мастерством скрывается нечто еще более впечатляющее: острый музыкальный интеллект.

Путинцев слушает всем телом. Фразировка, акценты, задержки – все артикулировано с чуткостью к партитуре. В танце Марко Спада, где музыкальные нюансы имеют первостепенное значение, он продемонстрировал, как виртуозность может сосуществовать с утонченностью. Его харизма непосредственна, но никогда не поверхностна; она основана на мастерстве и видимой приверженности художественному росту.

Анастасия Смирнова – Сияние, утонченность и драматический интеллект

Анастасия Смирнова излучает свет. С первого же выхода на сцену она приковывает внимание не преувеличением, а ясностью намерений и изысканностью деталей. Ее верхняя часть тела имеет изысканную форму; ее руки словно дышат; ее движения говорят сами за себя.

Технически она сочетает баланс, контроль и плавность. Ее девелоппе разворачиваются с лиризмом, ее повороты уверенны и музыкальны, а работа ног остается четкой и точной. Однако то, что возвышает ее мастерство, – это драматический интеллект. Она понимает структуру, вдумчиво выстраивает фразы и взаимодействует на сцене с отзывчивостью, которая оживляет хореографию.

В знаменитой сцене, где две балерины отражают друг друга и тонко бросают вызов — восхитительный намек на исторические истоки балета — ее способность наблюдать, реагировать и проецировать свои движения на сцену демонстрировала одновременно уверенность и великодушие. Это был классический балет в его чистейшей, самой элегантной форме.

Ярославна Куприна — Лирическая авторитетность и классическое величие

Ярославна Куприна обладает редким даром сочетать лирическую мягкость с властным присутствием. Ее линии экспансивны; ее баланс выдержан; ее повороты в позе и растяжения разворачиваются с уверенностью и контролем. В ее движениях есть амплитуда, но также и деликатность.

Что наиболее поразительно, так это ее авторитет. Даже в юности она танцует с ощущением неизбежности — как будто хореография естественным образом проходит сквозь нее. В пассажах, требующих блеска, она демонстрирует уверенность; в моменты покоя она позволяет музыке дышать. Ее музыкальность кажется органичной, а не рассчитанной.

В сцене совместной вариации диалог между двумя балеринами стал одним из истинных сокровищ вечера: сложные движения, исполненные с безмятежностью, взгляды, которыми обменялись с театральным остроумием, и взаимопонимание, которое подняло этот момент выше простого показухи.

Празднование классического балета в его лучшем проявлении

Марко Спада в постановке Пьера Лакотта требует стилистической целостности, театральной интеллектуальности и технической выносливости. Это балет, пропитанный историей, сформированный элегантностью французского классицизма и возрожденный благодаря русскому мастерству.

В этот вечер синтез был завершен. Великолепие постановки, восхитительная музыка, созданная на основе произведений Даниэля-Франсуа-Эспри Обера, и самоотдача этих четырех артистов создали атмосферу, которая одновременно казалась праздничной и глубокой.

Один лишь талант не создает таких выступлений. За отточенностью стоят годы жертв, повторений, физической дисциплины и художественных размышлений. То, что увидела публика, не только вселяло надежду, но и демонстрировало уровень мастерства, предвещающий блестящее будущее.

«Марко Спада»: жемчужина романтического балета в репертуаре Большого театра

Некоторые балеты ценятся за техническое мастерство, другие — за музыкальную красоту, а некоторые — самые редкие — за идеальную гармонию между сюжетом, хореографией и музыкой. «Марко Спада» в постановке Пьера Лакотта, несомненно, относится к последней категории.

Большому театру посчастливилось иметь в своем репертуаре это восхитительное, изысканное и театральное произведение, балет, который на высочайшем уровне сочетает французские традиции с русской школой. Постановка с тщательно проработанными декорациями и костюмами создает визуально богатую и яркую атмосферу, окутывая сцену красочным и элегантным звучанием, верным духу балета-действия XIX века.

Балет действия с элементами комедии дель арте

«Марко Спада» — это, по сути, балет действия: танец — не просто украшение, а средство повествования. Сюжет, с отголосками комедии дель арте, предлагает бесчисленные возможности интерпретации. Яркие персонажи, остроумные театральные ситуации и тщательно выстроенные ансамблевые сцены позволяют исполнителям продемонстрировать как техническое мастерство, так и драматическое присутствие.

Первоначально произведение было задумано в Парижской опере как основа для постановки предполагаемого соперничества между двумя итальянскими прима-балеринами, Амалией Феррарис и Каролиной Розати. Этот исторический контекст придает захватывающий нюанс некоторым сценам балета, особенно тем, в которых две женские фигуры вступают в хореографический диалог посредством параллельных вариаций.

Особенно остроумен момент, когда обе выполняют одни и те же шаги — с возрастающей сложностью — и одна наблюдает за другой, почти элегантно бросая ей вызов. Зрители становятся свидетелями не только виртуозности, но и театрального взаимодействия, наполненного смыслом. Это настоящая хореографическая жемчужина: изысканная, интеллектуальная и глубоко театральная.

Музыка: Обер и очарование французской оперы

Партитура — ещё одно великое сокровище Марко Спады. Основанный в основном на музыке Даниэля-Франсуа-Эспри Обера, балет включает фрагменты из двух его самых известных опер: «Фра Диаволо» и «Немой из Портичи».

Действительно, фрагменты из обоих произведений можно узнать, искусно интегрированные в хореографическую структуру. «Фра Диаволо», с его мелодичной живостью и лёгкой элегантностью, привносит дух, характер и отчётливо французский колорит. «Немой из Портичи», в свою очередь, добавляет более широкую и драматичную лирику, напоминая нам о способности Обера писать музыку, которая одновременно театрально сильна и изысканна.

В результате получается череда изысканных вариаций, чарующих мелодий и ансамблевых номеров, отличающихся неотразимой музыкальностью. Партитура буквально переполнена восхитительными моментами, которые поддерживают и вдохновляют танец. Без преувеличения можно сказать, что мы являемся свидетелями настоящей музыкальной жемчужины в хореографическом репертуаре.

Незабываемый вечер

Когда произведение столь богатой истории и музыки встречается с талантливыми молодыми исполнителями, результат может быть необыкновенным. Русская школа, с её технической строгостью и широтой линий, вступает здесь в диалог с элегантностью французского балета в его реконструкции Лакоттом, создавая захватывающий синтез.

Большой театр в очередной раз демонстрирует свою способность принимать различные традиции и делать их своими собственными. Энергия, точность и харизма танцоров возвышают хореографию, а декорации и костюмы усиливают ощущение того, что перед нами предстаёт цельное, целостное и тщательно продуманное зрелище.

Бывают вечера, когда балет напоминает нам, почему он является всеобъемлющим видом искусства: музыка, история, театр и танец, слившиеся воедино в уникальное переживание. Выступление Марко Спады, несомненно, стало одним из таких вечеров.

Магия французского балета, возродившаяся в Москве, русский талант в лучшем его проявлении и музыкальное вдохновение Обера объединились, чтобы создать представление, которое останется в нашей памяти как истинное торжество хореографического искусства.

Une soirée exceptionnelle au Bolchoï : Quatre étoiles montantes dans Marco Spada

Il y a des soirées au théâtre qui restent de doux souvenirs. Et puis il y a ces rares représentations d'une intensité presque historique – des soirées où talent, opportunité, répertoire et maturité artistique s'unissent avec une clarté saisissante.

Telle fut la récente représentation de Marco Spada au Teatro Bolchoï, où quatre des jeunes artistes les plus prometteurs de la compagnie – Makar Mikhalkin, Alexei Putintsev, Anastasia Smirnova et Yaroslavna Kuprina – ont partagé la scène dans une performance qui incarnait l'essence même du ballet classique.

Makar Mikhalkin – Noblesse de la ligne et autorité sereine

Makar Mikhalkin offre sur scène une rare combinaison de pureté classique et de force intérieure. Sa technique est précise, sûre et naturelle – jamais démonstrative pour le simple plaisir de danser, mais toujours au service du style. Il y a une noblesse dans sa ligne, une clarté académique dans ses placements et une remarquable stabilité dans ses pirouettes et ses élévations.

Ce qui le distingue également, c'est son calme. Il danse avec l'assurance de quelqu'un profondément imprégné de la discipline de l'école russe, sans pour autant être rigide. Son jeu de partenaire révèle attention et générosité – des qualités qui témoignent non seulement de son talent, mais aussi d'humilité et de dévouement. On perçoit les années de travail rigoureux qui se cachent derrière cette apparente aisance.

Alexei Putintsev – Brillance, Précision et Feu Musical

Si Mikhalkin incarne une autorité sereine, Alexei Putintsev rayonne de brillance. Son allegro est étincelant ; ses sauts sont aériens et amples ; ses pirouettes sont à la fois précises et audacieuses. Mais au-delà de cette maîtrise technique se cache quelque chose d'encore plus fascinant : une intelligence musicale aiguë.

Putinsev écoute avec tout son corps. Phrasé, accents, suspensions – tout est articulé avec une sensibilité à la partition. Dans Marco Spada, où la nuance musicale est essentielle, il a démontré comment la virtuosité peut coexister avec le raffinement. Son charisme est immédiat, mais jamais superficiel. Elle s'appuie sur un savoir-faire artisanal et un engagement manifeste envers le développement artistique.

Anastasia Smirnova – Rayonnement, Raffinement et Intelligence Dramatique

La présence d'Anastasia Smirnova est lumineuse. Dès son entrée en scène, elle captive l'attention non par l'exagération, mais par la clarté de son intention et le raffinement de ses détails. Le haut de son corps est d'une beauté exquise ; ses bras semblent respirer ; son épaulement est expressif.

Techniquement, elle allie équilibre, contrôle et fluidité. Ses développés se déploient avec lyrisme, ses tours sont sûrs et musicaux, et son jeu de jambes reste articulé et précis. Mais ce qui élève son art, c'est son intelligence dramatique. Elle comprend la structure, construit les phrases avec réflexion et interagit sur scène avec une réactivité qui donne vie à la chorégraphie.

Dans la célèbre scène où deux ballerines se font écho et se défient subtilement – ​​un délicieux clin d'œil aux origines historiques du ballet – sa capacité à observer, à réagir et à projeter sa présence sur scène a révélé à la fois confiance et générosité. C'était du ballet classique dans sa forme la plus pure et la plus élégante.

Yaroslavna Kuprina – Maîtrise lyrique et grandeur classique

Yaroslavna Kuprina possède ce don rare d'allier une douceur lyrique à une présence imposante. Ses lignes sont amples, ses équilibres soutenus, ses changements de direction et ses extensions se déploient avec assurance et maîtrise. Son mouvement est à la fois ample et délicat.

Ce qui frappe le plus, c'est son autorité. Même jeune, elle danse avec une évidence naturelle, comme si la chorégraphie coulait en elle. Dans les passages exigeant de la virtuosité, elle s'exprime avec assurance ; dans les moments de silence, elle laisse la musique respirer. Sa musicalité semble organique, non calculée.

Dans la scène de variations partagées, le dialogue entre les deux ballerines est devenu l'un des plus beaux moments de la soirée : des pas difficiles exécutés avec sérénité, des regards échangés avec un esprit théâtral, et une compréhension mutuelle qui a sublimé l'instant, le faisant passer du simple spectacle à la performance.

Une célébration du ballet classique à son apogée

Marco Spada, dans la reconstitution de Pierre Lacotte, exige une intégrité stylistique, une intelligence théâtrale et une maîtrise technique irréprochables. C'est un ballet imprégné d'histoire, façonné par l'élégance du classicisme français et sublimé par l'excellence russe.

Ce soir-là, la synthèse était parfaite. La splendeur de la production, la délicieuse partition tirée de la musique de Daniel-François-Esprit Auber et le dévouement de ces quatre artistes ont créé une atmosphère à la fois festive et profonde.

Le talent seul ne suffit pas à produire de telles performances. Derrière cette perfection se cachent des années de sacrifices, de répétitions, de discipline physique et de réflexion artistique. Ce que le public a vu n'était pas seulement une promesse, mais déjà une maîtrise qui laisse présager un avenir radieux.

Marco Spada: un gioiello del balletto romantico nel repertorio del Bolshoi

Alcuni balletti sono apprezzati per il loro virtuosismo tecnico, altri per la loro bellezza musicale e alcuni – i più rari – per la perfetta armonia tra storia, coreografia e musica. Marco Spada, nella versione di Pierre Lacotte, appartiene senza dubbio a quest'ultima categoria.

Il Teatro Bolshoi ha la fortuna di avere nel suo repertorio quest'opera deliziosa, raffinata e teatrale, un balletto che unisce la tradizione francese con la scuola russa ai massimi livelli. La produzione, con le sue scene e i suoi costumi meticolosamente realizzati, crea un'atmosfera visivamente ricca e vibrante, avvolgendo il palcoscenico in un'atmosfera colorata ed elegante, fedele allo spirito del balletto d'azione ottocentesco.

Un balletto d'azione dal sapore di Commedia dell'arte

Marco Spada è, in sostanza, un balletto d'azione: la danza non è mero abbellimento, ma veicolo narrativo. La trama, che richiama la commedia dell'arte, offre innumerevoli possibilità interpretative. Personaggi vivaci, situazioni teatrali ingegnose e scene d'insieme attentamente costruite permettono agli interpreti di sfoggiare sia virtuosismo tecnico che presenza drammatica.


Originariamente, l'opera fu concepita all'Opéra di Parigi come cornice per la messa in scena della presunta rivalità tra due prime ballerine italiane, Amalia Ferraris e Carolina Rosati. Questo contesto storico conferisce un'affascinante sfumatura ad alcune scene del balletto, in particolare quelle in cui due figure femminili dialogano coreograficamente attraverso variazioni parallele.

Il momento in cui entrambe eseguono gli stessi passi, con difficoltà crescente, e una osserva l'altra, quasi sfidandola con eleganza, è particolarmente ingegnoso. Il pubblico assiste non solo al virtuosismo, ma anche a un'interazione teatrale carica di intenzione. È un vero gioiello coreografico: raffinato, intelligente e profondamente teatrale.

La musica: Auber e il fascino dell'opera francese

La partitura è un altro dei grandi tesori di Marco Spada. Basato principalmente sulla musica di Daniel-François-Esprit Auber, il balletto incorpora frammenti di due delle sue opere più celebri: Fra Diavolo e La Muetta di Portici.

In effetti, passaggi di entrambe le opere sono riconoscibili, integrati con grande intelligenza nella struttura coreografica. Fra Diavolo, con la sua vivacità melodica e la sua leggera eleganza, conferisce spirito, carattere e un tocco distintamente francese. La Muetta di Portici, da parte sua, aggiunge un lirismo più ampio e drammatico, ricordandoci la capacità di Auber di scrivere una musica che è al tempo stesso teatralmente potente e raffinata.

Il risultato è una successione di variazioni squisite, melodie incantevoli e numeri d'insieme di irresistibile musicalità. La partitura è letteralmente piena di momenti deliziosi che sostengono e ispirano la danza. Non è esagerato affermare che ci troviamo di fronte a un vero gioiello musicale all'interno del repertorio coreografico.

Una serata memorabile

Quando un'opera di tale ricchezza storica e musicale incontra giovani interpreti di grande talento, il risultato può essere straordinario. La scuola russa, con il suo rigore tecnico e la sua ampiezza di linee, dialoga qui con l'eleganza del balletto francese ricostruito da Lacotte, creando una sintesi accattivante.

Il Bolshoi dimostra ancora una volta la sua capacità di abbracciare tradizioni diverse e farle proprie. L'energia, la precisione e il carisma dei suoi danzatori esaltano la coreografia, mentre le scenografie e i costumi rafforzano la sensazione di assistere a uno spettacolo completo, coerente e meticolosamente concepito.

Ci sono serate in cui il balletto ci ricorda perché è una forma d'arte totale: musica, storia, teatro e danza si fondono in un'esperienza unica. Questa performance di Marco Spada è stata senza dubbio una di quelle serate.

La magia del balletto francese rinato a Mosca, il talento russo al suo apice e l'ispirazione musicale di Auber si sono uniti per offrire uno spettacolo che rimarrà nei nostri ricordi come una vera celebrazione dell'arte coreografica.



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