The spectacular opening (Salzburger Nachrichten) of the Grafenegg Festival 2018 presented at the Midsummer Night’s Gala featured opera arias and orchestral pieces by Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Bellini and others. Ms. Yende was joined by Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, Dutch cellist Harriet Krijgh, the Tonkünstler Orchestra and conductor Yutaka Sado.
A DVD of the Gala has been released as a co-production of the ORF and UNITEL CLASSICA in cooperation with the Grafenegg Festival (EuroArts Music International). A feast for the ears (Kurier), this production is presented with subtitles in Italian, English, German, French, Japanese, and Korean.
From March 22 – April 16, Pretty Yende stars as Norina in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale at the Opéra Bastille. Michele Pertusi sings the title role and Alessio Arduini portrays Dottor Malatesta with Michele Mariotti conducting.
Continuing their successful partnership after their much acclaimed successat the Metropolitan Opera in Les Pêcheurs de Perles (“The tenor Javier Camarena, as Nadir, and the soprano Pretty Yende, as Leïla, returned to a house that has grown justifiably fond of them in recent years”, The New York Times) and La Fille du Regiment (“Javier Camarena & Pretty Yende lead brilliant production into major victory”, Operawire), Ernesto will be sung by Javier Camarena.
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Pretty Yende returns to the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées as part of Les Grandes Voix concert series presenting works by giants from the Classical and Baroque era. On December 16, she performs with the Capella Gabetta, under the baton of violin concertmaster Andrés Gabetta. Ms. Yende garnered immense acclaim for her 2017 debut at the theater, with Bachtrack lauding her:
“She doesn’t just sing the tunes; she lives them, she marries the characters. Thus, over the course of the programme, she will slip into the skins of Adèle, Rosina, Beatrice, Linda, Manon, and finally, Lucia, in whom she was admired at the beginning of the season at the Paris Opera and of whom she is currently one of the very best performers. Whether in lightness or pain, madness or laughter, we appreciate all the facets of this generous voice whose flesh touches the heart of the spectator.” (Bachtrack)
The program as follows:
HandelIl ciro riconosciuto, overture Handel « Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion » (Messiah) Vivaldi Concerto for 4 violons and cello, RV 580
Handel Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74, « Eternal source of light divine » Vivaldi Concerto in D major « Grosso Mogul », RV 208 Handel « Let the bright Seraphim » (Samson) Gluck Dance of the spectres and the furies (Don Juan) Handel « He shall feed his flock like a sheperd » (Messiah) J. Ch. Bach Sinfonia op.6 No. 6 MozartExsultate, jubilate K. 165/158a
Photo: Kim Fox Photography
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Pretty Yende returns to the Metropolitan Opera to star as Marie in Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment from February 7 to March 2. Her Tonio is Javier Camarena, with whom she just made her debut in Les Pêcheurs des Perles. Alessandro Corbelli and Maurizio Muraro trade off as the comic Sergeant Sulpice, with mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe as the outlandish Marquise of Berkenfield. Enrique Mazzola conducts. Laurent Pelly’s popular production of La Fille du Régiment will be broadcasted as part of the Met’s Live in HD series on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
In 2017, Ms. Yende debuted as Marie in Laurent Pelly’s production at Teatro de la Maestranza receiving much acclaim:
“The South African soprano debuted with both the leading role and the Sevillian stage and from minute one she got the audience in her pocket based on an impeccable performance in which she exuded naturalness, good taste and solid technique.” (Codalario)
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From November 14 until December 1, Pretty Yende stars as Leïla in Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles at the Metropolitan Opera, making her debut in the role of the beautiful priestess. Javier Camarena and Mariusz Kwiecien portray Nadir and Zurga as rivals for her forbidden love. Emmanuel Villaume conducts.
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On October 5, 8, 11, 14 and 19, Pretty Yende returns to the Gran Teatre del Liceu in another bel canto role following her triumph in Don Pasquale, to star as Elvira in Bellini’s I Puritani. Opposite her is Javier Camarena, one of the present day’s most applauded tenors. Christopher Franklin conducts.
A perennial tale of love against the backcloth of wars between Protestants and Catholics provides the framework for the last of Vincenzo Bellini’s operas, a clearly Romantic work tinted with the hues of his characteristic melodism. In this production, by Belfast-born Annilese Miskimmon, the action gets underway in 20th-century Northern Ireland before reverting to the original setting – the days of Cromwell and the Roundheads and Cavaliers – through the eyes of the now insane Elvira.