JOSÉ CURA, "Cavalleria Rusticana" -- Opernhaus Zurich in 2009
For Summer Festival in Zurich
Live from Opernhaus Zurich, 2009
JOSÉ CURA has everything needed to make Turiddu
speak to the imagination: temperament, a rough, raw voice and a lot of drama in both
his singing and his appearance. As Turiddu he touches through his intense alternation
of forte and piano, especially when he says goodbye to his mother.
--Place der Opera
Turiddu: JOSÉ CURA
Santuzza: Paoletta Marrocu
Alfio: Cheyne Davidson
Mamma Lucia: Irene Friedli
Lola: Liliana Nikiteanu
Conductor: Stefano Ranzani
Producer/production: Grischa Asagaroff
Choreography: Tetsu Taoshita
Set and costume design: Luigi Perego
Lighting: Hans-Rudolf Kunz
Choir rehearsal: Jürg Hämmerli
Orchestra of Opernhaus Zurich
Chorus, Extra Chorus, Children Chorus and Supernumeraries
of Opernhaus Zurich
In 2009, JOSÉ CURA, for their summer festival in Zurich, headlined in the acclaimed
Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci (available on DVD).
Venue: Opernhaus Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Dates: 6, 9, 11, 14, 17, 19, 21, 26, June and 3, 8, July, 2009
Das Opernglas --- The premiere’s central figure was José Cura, who took on both roles, that of Turiddu as well as Canio. As Turiddu, Cura was the ‘macho’ incarnate who, nevertheless, showed surprisingly much fear vis-à-vis Alfio, a carter of higher social standing among the men of this Sicilian village. He performed the Song to Lola so forcefully that his intent seemed the assertion of a claim rather than exuding charm. As things progressed, he found the way to ‘soft’ (piano) sounds which stood in contrast to his ringing out (to his metallizarre i suoni), a juxtaposition that fit in perfectly with the conception of the role.
Die Suedostschweiz --- As Turiddu in Mascagni’s ‘Cavalleria,’ he showed the bright side of his magnificent and powerful voice—a voice of substance and foundation, which also has a smooth, rich flow—in conjunction with the complex and intelligent employ of vocal resources: not only loud and extroverted, but differentiated in the service of two very different roles of Turiddu and Canio. Thus Cura downgraded everyone to supernumerary status. Compared with Cura, the other singers had a hard time.
Zürichsee-Zeitung ---- Opera right out of a picture postcard: Something clicks here. To an extraordinary degree, it is due to the acting talents of José Cura, who is singing the part of Turiddu as well as that of Canio. Dazzlingly brilliant his voice in the sweeping melodic arches of ‘Cavalleria,’ remarkably vigorous and lively in the articulation of the drinking song "Viva il vino spumeggiante."
Music Web International --- The singing in this production is very strong. José Cura’s character may be a rat – and is beautifully characterized as such - but he has the voice of a lion. He ramps up the emotion to breaking point, both in his confrontation with the abandoned Santuzza and his farewell to his mother.
Schafbhauser Nachrichten --- A fireworks display of emotions: The star of the evening was clearly José Cura. The Argentine-born tenor had taken on the risky venture of interpreting an all too recklessly acting Turiddu in “Cavalleria rusticana” as well as Canio in the opera “Pagliacci” after the intermission. His outstanding performance, with regard to singing as well as acting, was one of the most impressive factors in a show rife with emotion.
