RARE VERDI GIOVANNA D'ARCO AND MAESTRO VINCENT LA SELVA - PERFECT TOGETHER!

The New York Grand Opera (NYGO) has been a source of operatic light since 1973 when its Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director Maestro Vincent La Selva, decided to bring free and fully costumed opera to Central Park. He has done exactly that, including a record breaking complete Verdi cycle to great critical and public acclaim. The New York Grand Opera has appeared at Carnegie Hall and other venues throughout the city.

The summer of 2010 was a dry one except for the scheduled performance of Giovanna d'Arco (Joan of Arc) which was rained out last July. Undaunted, Maestro La Selva sought and found another location. We were all the richer on the evening of October 21st when this long neglected opera was performed free in concert version. It took place before a capacity audience at the Church of Saint Paul and Saint Andrew in NYC at 86th Streets and West End Avenue. The statues of two winged angels dominate the upper front ceiling of the altar left and right, adding to the mood of this Angels and Demons plot.

Giovanna d'Arco Giuseppe Verdi's 7th opera premiered at La Scala in Milan in 1845 with a libretto by Temistocle Solera and was a rousing success. The opera has a prologue and three acts including some stirring battle music and a funeral march. It should be noted that Giovanna d'Arco dies on the battlefield and not at the stake. She forgives both Carlo and her father before she expires.

Liora Michelle triumphed in the title role, her sumptuous soprano soared and she negotiated the difficult tessitura of the "Sempre all' alba ed alla sera" with flexibility and flair. Many of her dramatic arias evoked the terrain of the future Verdi and made one wish to see and hear more of this young, gifted and attractive artist who recently was a memorable Leonora in Il Trovatore with the NYGO in Central Park. Whether singing with power or sweetness she was secure in her technique. The future looks bright for Ms. Michelle and this audience responded with cheers and bravas. Her exquisite trills, pianissimi and fiery bursts of passion still echo in memory.

Kevin Courtemanche as Carlo VII, King of France  and beloved of Giovanna d'Arco sang splendidly, his heroic tenor flooding the church in powerful arias and thrilling duets, adding an arch of golden tone to this venue. His lyrico-spinto voice suited this Verdi  score very well. His singing of "Sotto una quercia parvemi" indicated a world class tenor. Whether in solo, duet, trio or ensemble, Courtemanche's solid technique assured us of a strong and vital performance.

Giacomo, a shepherd of Domremy and father to Giovanna d'Arco was sung by Raemond Martin. His robust and beautiful baritone was a joy to behold in his exquisie singing of  "Franco, son io, ma in core" in the first act and "Speme al vecchio era una figlia" in the second. His final duet with his dying daughter in Act Three, "S'apre il cielo" evoked the tenderness of Rigoletto yet to come and Giacomo's previous rage while denouncing her as being in league with the devil was chilling. Martin's vocal quiality and color are striking and he can evoke anger as well as tenderness in a fulfilling performance.

Michael Hajek was a memorable Talbot, Supreme Commander of the English Forces, his expressive bass pleading with the French, who are being driven to defeat by Giovanna.

The role of Delil, a French Officer was sung by gifted tenor Anthony Tolve whose superb stage presence and plangent voice make him much in demand for character and leading parts today.

The chorus was excellent and Jan Dash, chorus master, deserves our thanks, their singing  in the death scene was especially moving.

Maestro Vincent La Selva conducted a spirited adrenalin flowing, magical performance, one that energized and thrilled this listener from the melodic overture to the resounding finale. I attended the U.S. "premiere " of Giovanna d'Arco at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1976 with Maestro Vincent La Selva at the podium with the NYGO and I never forgot this exhilarating music. Maestro Vincent la Selva is a beacon and pioneer and his championing of this wonderful opera is another step on the golden ladder of his accomplishments. The audience responded with a rousing, cheering standing ovation.

Among the notables in the audience were Verdi scholar and biographer the elegant George Martin, former great Metroploitan Opera Verdi-Puccini dramatic soprano Elinor Ross and New York City Opera soprano and Broadway and television star Elaine Malbin who made recordings with Mario Lanza.

It was a joy to meet and greet those who labor behind the scenes including Opera Guild President the charming Diane Fisher-Chatten, Development Director the dapper David Dubin and the much loved, indispensible "Danny" (Mrs. Vincent La Selva.)

We treasure the memory of each performance of the New York Grand Opera with the great Maestro Vincent La Selva at the helm. May this incomparable company have smooth sailing and many more years with its indestructible, brilliant and beloved Maestro to show "the powers that be" how opera should be done.

Nino Pantano

http:operamusicbroadcast.com

November 20, 2010

NEW YORK GRAND OPERA

presents

Vincent La Selva, conducting

Giuseppe Verdi's

GIOVANNA D'ARCO

with

Giovanna d'Arco - Liora Michelle

Carlo VII, King of France - Kevin Courtemanche

Giacomo, father of Giovanna - Raemond Martin

Talbot - Michael Hajek

Delil - Anthony Tolve

Thursday October 21, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

at

Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew

263 West 86th Street at West End Avenue, New York, New York, 10024

ADMISSION IS FREE.

LIMITED SEATING -FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 P.M.