24/01/2017
Roméo et Juliette, Vienna State Opera
On Sunday night, the Vienna State Opera staged Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” starring Juan Diego Flórez and Aida Garifullina as Shakespeare’s legendary lovers, and Plácido Domingo in the conductor’s pit.
The two singers offered performances of complementary excellence. Flórez exuded extraordinary passion, vocally and physically, alternating between intense outbursts and ravishing soft singing with dark colorings and an emotional vulnerability.
Aida Garifullina showed impressive range in her solo turns. Her silvery voice aptly represented the young heroine’s innocence and sweetness.
Flórez and Garifullina were especially inspired during balcony scene duet (“O nuit divine”), shifting subtly between romantic abandon and melodic intimacy.
The third star of this performance was Plácido Domingo in the pit, issuing one of his finest performances in years.
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Roméo et Juliette
Through February 1 at the Vienna State Opera, tickets available at: www.concertvienna.com/program/Vienna_State_Opera
