May 14, 2017
Irina Lungu to make her debut as Anna Bolena at the Opéra Grand Avignon
On May 14 , 2017 Irina Lungu will make her debut as the protagonist of Anna Bolena at the Opéra Grand Avignon in a production by Marie-Louise Bischofberger conducted by Maestro Samuel Jean. She will sing alongside Ketevan Kemoklidze as Giovanna Seymour, Ismaël Jordi as Percy, Carlo Colombara as Enrico VIII and Alhima Mhamdi as Smeton. There will be one repeat performance on May 16.
“The character of Anna Bolena is fascinating”, says the Russian soprano. “She is both regal and frail at the same time. Musically speaking the role requires the interpreter to express so many things in a very wide and varied language. Anna Bolena is one of the longest and most demanding operas, lasting well over three hours. One needs to have the mental skills to be able to dose one’s strengths. “Coppia iniqua” is where the fullest vocal, scenic and artistic concentration is needed: it is a moment where many paths meet.”
Anna Bolena is the second title of the so-called Tuder Trilogy that the Russian soprano is adding to her repertoire, following performances in the title role of Maria Stuarda at the Teatro alla Scala, the Teatro La Fenice and the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens.
Irina Lungu has devoted most of her 2016-2017 season debuting seminal roles of the belcanto repertoire: Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona and Elvira in I puritani in Modena, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia, earning accolades for both endeavors. In June she will star in the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor in a new production at the Teatro Comunale of Bologna.
Information about Anna Bolena at Opéra Grand Avignon:
Irina Lungu (Anna Bolena), Ketevan Kemoklidze (Giovanna Seymour) , Ismaël Jordi (Percy), Carlo Colombara (Enrico VIII), Alhima Mhamdi (Smeton), Patrick Bolleire (Lord Rochefort), Jérémy Duffau (Sir Hervey).
Marie-Louise Bischofberger (stage director), Samuel Jean (conductor)
Performances May 14 and 16, 2017