Yannick Nézet-Séguin in sensational
Salzburg debut

"The conductor is the best singer" (Julia Spinola, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). "This young, ecstatic conductor is not just aiming for instant effect and entertainment in what is superficially simple and open-hearted music. Instead, he immerses himself in the very specific character of this score, lying as it does between grand opera and lyric drama and draws forth its treasures: the purity and clarity of the cantilenas, their delicate and discreet intensity, the glowing, pre-impressionistic nuances and veiled colours, the Pre-raphaelite hints and sensuality of the young Debussy. [...] He directs this extraordinary work in such a way that the sensuality serves to reconcile the religious, aesthetic and erotic elements. He draws from the orchestra a fabulously distinguished and nuanced performance, and creates a highly aromatic and shimmering world of sounds."

The review also singled out Mikhail Petrenko (Frère Laurent), Robert Murray (Benvolio) and Cora Burggraaf (Stéphano) for the success and great individuality of their musical portrayals. Ailyn Perez now takes over the role of Juliette.

This new production is the latest Salzburg Festival project highlighting Askonas Holt artists. 'Don Giovanni' with Christopher Maltman, Dorothea Roeschmann and Ekaterina Siurina is now playing to sold out houses and it has been recorded for future DVD release. Stephen Costello continues to turn heads with his Cassio in the new 'Otello' and is now to be joined by Maria Luigia Borsi as Desdemona. Kirill Gerstein made a stunning festival debut with two appearances in the Mozarteum in programmes ranging from Beethoven to Schoenberg and Busoni.

Still to come are Markus Werba repeating his adorable Papageno and appearing in the C Minor Mass; Ian Bostridge performing 'Winterreise' with Mitsuko Uchida in the Haus für Mozart; Simon Keenlyside and the Cleveland Orchestra with Franz Welser-Möst in 'Das Lied von der Erde'; Alan Held making his festival debut in the new production of 'Rusalka'; Emmanuel Pahud performing Mozart's Flute Concerto No 2 in D Major, KV314 with the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg conducted by Frans Bruggen; Gustavo Dudamel and his Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela are in residency at the Festival, performing two concerts and a "School of Listening" in addition to educational activities and performances; and Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker who will conclude this year's extraordinary festival programme.

12 August, 2008

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Yannick Nézet-Séguin

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