Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Isabel Bayrakdarian is among the most distinguished Canadian artists of her generation. From her time as a member of the Opera in Concert Chorus to her big win at Domingo’s Operalia, it was obvious that she was destined to be heard worldwide in leading roles. Her unique vocal timbre and stage charisma have assured her of success from the Met to Salzburg and points in between.
For Voicebox: Opera in Concert, Stuart Hamilton – her confidant, mentor, coach and friend – first featured her as the lead in MIGNON by Ambroise Thomas. OIC patrons still talk of the touching vulnerability and strength she brought to the great aria ‘Connais tu le pays.’ Isabel was last heard on the OIC stage as Salud in LA VIDA BREVE by de Falla.
When Guillermo Silva-Marin first approached her about Charlotte in WERTHER, she excitedly revealed that she and Stuart had many times discussed this role for OIC … but her schedule had always intervened. At long last, this dream role is hers and OIC patrons and opera lovers across Toronto will have the unique chance to hear a great artist in a great role.
Brett Polegato is another OIC Chorus Alumni starring in WERTHER. He too is enjoying an international career including performances of roles ranging from Onegin to Kurvenal to Wozzeck for the opera houses of Milan, Moscow and Paris. OIC welcomes Brett back to our stage after performances in L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI, PÉLLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE and DER FREISCHÜTZ.
The source for WERTHER, the opera, is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s famous novel, “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” published when Goethe was 24 years old and instantly, he became the toast of the literary world. Operas are filled with tales of unhappy love affairs and, 100 years after the novel’s publication, the romantic woes of Werther and his impossible love for Charlotte became Massenet’s masterpiece that we know today.
Massenet began composing WERTHER in 1885, completing it in 1887. It was put to one side, until the Vienna Opera, pleased with the success of MANON, asked the composer for a new work. WERTHER received its premiere on 16 February 1892 at the Imperial Theatre Hofoper in Vienna. Belatedly, WERTHER entered the repertoire at the Opéra-Comique in 1903 and over the next half-century the opera was performed over 1,100 times in Paris alone!
In 1975, OIC’s second season, the young Paul Frey sang Werther with Maureen Forrester as his beloved Charlotte. In 2018, we will hear the great Isabel Bayrakdarian as Charlotte, with emerging tenor Matt Chittick as the tormented hero, Werther and the added attraction of Brett Polegato as Albert.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Emerging singers need “the big chance” and Opera in Concert has always welcomed talent with open arms. In WERTHER’s title role, Matt Chittick makes his OIC debut at the St. Lawrence Centre. Matt has been heard for the Portland Opera School Tour, for Opera Nuova, Bard On the Beach in Vancouver and looks forward to a luxury European River Cruise, where young members of the Calgary Opera Emerging Artist program will entertain and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience in Europe’s operatic heartland.
Isabel Bayrakdarian in WERTHER
by Jules Massenet
Tickets available through the Box Office - Online or Phone 416-366-7723
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Photo: Isabel Bayrakdarian.
2018-10-26
Toronto: VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert presents Isabel Bayrakdarian in "Werther" November 25