A new debut for baritone Luca Salsi who will be singing the role of the “villain” Carlo Gérard in Umberto Giordano’s Andrea Chénier at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich from 12 March to 2 April 2017.

Following his success as Lord Enrico Ashton in Lucia di Lammermoor in 2015 and 2016 and as Giorgio Germont in La Traviata in June, Luca Salsi will be walking the stage of the prestigious Bavarian theatre – where he will also be interpreting Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera in June – as Gérard, a complex and multifaceted character, revolutionary servant who is in love with the female lead Maddalena.

This new production of the verista masterpiece in four acts by Giordano – staged by Philipp Stölzl – relies on an exceptional cast: next to the Italian baritone are Jonas Kaufmann singing the title role, and Anja Harteros interpreting Maddalena di Coigny. Young Israeli conductor Omer Meir Wellber will be leading the Orchestra and Chorus of the Bayerische Staatsoper.

“I’m very happy to be making my debut in this wonderful role – says Luca Salsi – Gérard represents for me the end goal of an artistic path where I have tried to explore the most diverse operas and roles, going from Mozart to the belcanto operas of Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti, to finally reach my present repertoire, mainly focused around Verdi.

From a vocal and interpretative point of view – continues Salsi – that of Gérard is one of the most beautiful baritone roles: with broad lines reminiscent of Puccini, careful use of the wording that reminds of Verdi, and an intense phrasing, always supported by an orchestra that allows the singer to deliver all of the various nuances of the character”.

The cast is completed by J’Nai Bridges as Bersi, Doris Soffel as the Countess of Coigny, Andrea Borghini as Roucher, Elena Zilio in the role of Madelon, Nathaniel Webster interpreting Pietro Fléville, Christian Rieger as Fouquier Tinville, Tim Kuypers as Mathieu, and Kevin Conners as The Incredible.

After  Munich, Luca Salsi will be Rigoletto at the De nationale Opera in Amsterdam (from 9 May to 5 June) in a new stage production by Damiano Michieletto, then Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera once again in Munich (from 11 to 17 June), then Amonasro in Aida at the Salzburg Festival (from 6 to 25 August) with Riccardo Muti conducting and Anna Netrebko interpreting the title role.

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