The Astana Opera’s lead soloist, Medet Chotabaev, successfully concluded a series of performances at the Brazilian Theatro Municipal (Sao Paulo) in Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello, the Astana Opera’s press-service reported.
Photo: astanaopera.kz
“It was my first time playing in one of the most beautiful theatres in Brazil. The venue marvellously expresses the spirit and tradition of the best temples of Melpomene. I was lucky enough to sing with Avgust Amonov, the tenor of the Mariinsky Theatre, who happens to be from Almaty. The first lineup of the title roles included globally acclaimed tenor Gregory Kunde, who gave me several master classes. I showed him an aria from Rudolph’s opera La Boheme, he praised my level of Italian and gave me some pointers,” Chotabaev said.
Astana’s lead soloist noted the quality of performances given at the theatre. It seemed to Chotabaev as if one premiere after another of the greatest domestic and international playwrights and composers came to life. “An interesting fact is that they do not have a permanent opera company, the staff consists of only the choir and orchestra. Opera soloists are invited from theatres all around the world,” the lead singer said.
The singer performed as Cassio on March 14, 17, 21 and 22. The famous John Neshling stood behind the conductor’s stand on all four days. The director of the opera was the celebrated Giancarlo del Monaco, who also directed Abai at the Astana Opera in September.
The Brazilian public affectionately welcomed Kazakhstan’s artist and gave him warm applause and flowers. After the performance, members of the audience waited for singer to pay him compliments and ask for autographs.
The next performances by Chotabaev at the Theatro Municipal of Sao Paulo will be on May 31 and June 4 and 7. The singer will perform in Eugene Onegin, starring as Lensky.
It was European opera agent Stephanie Gamba who invited the artist to Brazil after noticing his brilliant performance at the prestigious Marcello Giordani competition in 2013, at which Chotabaev took third place.
It should be noted that the stage of the old Theatro Municipal of Sao Paulo has hosted such celebrities as Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, Mario Del Monaco, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Arturo Toscanini, Camargo Guarnieri, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Pietro Mascagni, Anna Pavlova, Arthur Rubinstein, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Isadora Duncan, Margot Fonteyn and many others.
