Gioachino Rossini, author of so many comic operas, including the
unsurpassable The Barber of Seville, was more inclined toward
humour than most in musical history. Of course, the overall formula is not
quite this simple: in addition to his comic operas, he wrote a series of
serious pieces, such as his last work, William Tell. This gala concert at Müpa
presents both faces, along with superbly crafted overtures and arias. In
fact, the very essence of Rossini.
The three singers –
mezzo-soprano Dorottya Láng, tenor István Horváth and
bass-baritone Péter Kálmán – have enjoyed notable international
successes. Young German conductor Nikolas Nägele is the pride of
Deutsche Oper Berlin, and has been lauded by audiences at the Rossini Festival
in Pesaro. He also served as assistant to the great conductor Christian
Thielemann at the Salzburg and Bayreuth festivals. All is underscored by the
versatility of the Pannon Philharmonic.
Elegantly arranged into
different groups, the programme offers excerpts (including duets) from popular
works, with each aria preceded by its overture.
The performance will be
broadcasted on the Müpa website and YouTube channel.
