Rossini rarity is presented by Opera Philadelphia

Executive Director of PhillyGayCalendar


Gioacchino Rossini’s opera Tancredi will be presented by Opera Philadelphia at the Academy of Music until February 19. Tancredi will be a company premiere. Unsurprising this, since it is an opera rarely performed in the United States. Bravo! Opera Philadelphia, for presenting the work and presenting it with style and commitment.

International star Stephanie Blythe sings the title role. As Tancredi, mezzo-soprano Blythe is a warrior who is unwelcome in his own country, yet returns to save it. Ms. Blythe was thrilling in her leaping octaves which ranged from the heights of the Pyrenees to the depths of the Marianas Trench. In Tancredi’s duets with love interest Amenaide, Blythe and Brenda Rae were totally captivating. Both women enjoyed some of the most sensuously beautiful music of the evening.

The sensuously beautiful Michele Angelini sang the tenor role of Argirio, father to Amenaide. His plangent tenor suavely accomplished the most fearsome coloratura passages. With go-go boy good looks and a captivating presence, this tenor had it all.

Daniel Mobbs was Orbazzo, the opera’s villain, who cut a handsome visual as well as aural figure. Allegra De Vita was Isaura, friend and confidante to Amenaide, and a fine singing actress. Anastasiia Sidorova was Tancredi’s page Roggiero.

A lovely article in the program by tenor Steven Humes explained the two endings of Tancredi. Philadelphia audiences can enjoy an ending as Voltaire had written in his tragedy, Tancrede.

Maestro Corrado Rovaris conducted with a sure and experienced baton.

Opera Philadelphia’s Tancredi will be onstage at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia until February 19. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://www.operaphila.org

Read Related Posts...