parterre box

69 comments

• Rinaldo says:

  “I think Calleja is a fantastic singer with a very beautiful voice, but live in the theatre I have found him seriously infuriating, making no attempt whatsoever to act or indicate any level of engagement with the dramatic situation at all. Perhaps he has improved in recent years – I don’t think I’ve seen him since 2006.”

  This does not describe his Duke in RIGOLETTO that I saw in DC a year ago (and by the way, my apologies for saying “this same role” in my initial post — my brain was momentarily fuddled and momentarily thought RIG was the opera being performed last night, then remembered as soon as I hit Return).

  Calleja is probably not going to be one of the handful of incandescent “true actors” among opera singers (a Stratas or Bacquier or Soderstrom), but I found him to be amply involved, and engaged with his scene partners — well above average in this respect. He and Petrova really got something cooking in their scene, putting the genuinely uninvolved, uncaring Carlos Alvarez (as Rigoletto) to shame.

  on April 23, 2009 at 10:50 AM
• iltenoredigrazia says:

  Gorgeous sound. Can’t remember last time I heard a tenor not straining at all on anything. May al the gods in Walhalla save him from the destruction that seems to plague singers nowadays.

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:15 AM
• almavivante says:

  Re #22: Thank you so much for this clip–what gorgeous singing. Can you please upload some other excerpts? Perhaps the “Adina, credimi”?

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:19 AM
• Alex Degracia says:

  He’s cute as all heck too. Looks like a cuddly teddy bear. Anyone know if he’s family?

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:25 AM
• Mrs. Lulu Pickle says:

  Hearing him in Rigoletto a couple of weeks ago I thought he sounded like a young Pavarotti . . . But I kept that thought to myself (until now), because I didn’t want to be ridiculed by La Cieca’s invariably gracious commenters . . .

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:39 AM
• Callejafan says:

  I was at the L’elisir last night, one of many times I’ve heard him live, and I agree with the other posters that this is NOT a bleaty voice in the house. In fact, it is quite full and warm. Last night when he repeated “morir” at the end of Una furtiva, the pianissimo he floated was absolutely ethereal…like it was poised on the proverbial water jet.
  This voice penetrates through everything else on stage…you can hear him individually in every ensemble. Not overbearing, but there. Last night he did some quite hammy acting at points, too!
  To those of you who bring up his weight: Shut up. He’s a big man (6’2″ or so) and carries it well.
  In summary…this is the great tenor of my generation, and I’m fully confident that he will be one of the legends in the world of opera.

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:41 AM
• squirrel says:

  That’s right, ms Lulu Pickle:

  Complement any singer in this forum and expect to have your ass handed to you!

  unless of course you are La Cieca, in which case everyone chimes in to agree… “yes, massa! oh yes sir i agree sir! HOW RIGHT YOU ARE YOUR HIGHNESS!”

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:42 AM
• La Cieca says:

  It seems to La Cieca that if you are so afraid of “ridicule,” then internet commenting may not be your cup of tea.

  Or, more seriously, La Cieca wants to re-emphasize the point that she wants to encourage the expression of opinions here. “Unpopular” opinions are encouraged!

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:47 AM
• aristotle incarnate says:

  @ 43, here you go, by popular demand:

  Quanto e’ bella

  http://www.zshare.net/audio/59075470919ed37c/

  Adina credimi

  http://www.zshare.net/audio/590753803e6278c5/

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:55 AM
• prunier says:

  I read that Calleja is married to a soprano, Tatiana Lisnic. She sings Susanna, Zerlina, Norina, Adina, Lucia. Anybody here heard her and wish to share comments?

  on April 23, 2009 at 11:57 AM