Off-Colón, a good variety of opera in 2010

A considerable variety of opera performances will be available next year at other theaters. I will start with the Teatro Argentino of La Plata. Led artistically by Marcelo Lombardero, there will be a welcome streak of audacity in the programming. As this house has an important structure, boasting a stage that is even bigger than the Colón´s and a considerable capacity, it is a rival for the Colón, especially taking into account that by car you go from Palermo to the Argentino in just one hour. Also, it will be the 120^th year of existence of the Argentino as an institution, albeit in several houses during that long period.

There will be a spectacular and challenging beginning with the La Plata premiere of Shostakovich´s "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk", with Lombardero as producer and Alejo Pérez as conductor, surely a talented team. And it will be an early start, on March 21, 26 and 28. Singers: Natalia Kreslina, Pedro Espinoza, Enrique Folger, Hernán Iturralde, María Bugallo, Gutsavo Gibert, Alejandra Malvino.

It is a pity that Mozart´s "Don Giovanni" at the Argentino will almost coincide with the Colón´s, a month earlier (May 2, 6, 8, 9). Conducted by Andrés Juncos and produced by Daniel Suárez Marzal, it will feature two Argentine artists that are working in Europe, Fernando Radó and Nahuel Di Pierro, along with Carla Filipcic Holm, Bugallo, Mario De Salvo, Santiago Burghi, Fabián Veloz and Ana Laura Menéndez (first cast).

Verdi will be represented by "Rigoletto", conducted by Guillermo Brizzio and produced by Pablo Maritano (June 27, July 1, 4, 10 and 11). It will be interesting to know Lisandro Guinis in the name part and Benita Puértolas as Gilda, and the Argentine tenor Darío Schmunck will be visiting us as the Duke of Mantua. Others: Christian Peregrino, Florencia Machado, Ernesto Bauer.

Then comes a true event, the first Handel opera ever at La Plata: "Giulio Cesare". With the specialist conductor Facundo Agudín and the producing of Gustavo Tambascio, it will be seen on July 25 and 29 and August 1. A good cast has been assembled: Chilean mezzo Evelyn Ramírez, the Platense soprano Paula Almerares, countertenor Fabrice Di Falco, mezzos Cecilia Díaz and Adriana Mastrángelo and baritone Sebastián Sorarrain.

Zandonai´s "Francesca da Rimini", a valuable but neglected work, was offered years ago at La Plata by the enthusiast maestro Mario Perusso, though at the cramped Teatro Rocha. Now with a different conductor, Carlos Vieu, it will have the facilities of the huge new theatre for the production of Louis Désiré originated at the Montecarlo Opera. The debut of Italian soprano Nicola Beller Carbone will be accompanied by another debut (Enrique Ferrer) and the Argentine singers Luis Gaeta, Díaz, Sergio Spina and Malvino. Dates: October 24, 28 and 31.

Gounod´s "Faust", curiously enough (I am told) a novelty for La Plata, will be conducted by Diego Masson and the producer will be Paul-Émile Fourny. The first cast will feature habitual singers at La Plata: Marcelo Puente, Almerares, Homero Pérez, Luciano Garay, Díaz, Matilde Isnardi. November 21, 25, 28; December 5.

In commemoration of the Bicentenary there will be a double bill with the premiere of Osvaldo Golijov´s opera "Ainadamar" complemented by Ginastera´s ballet "Estancia" (choreography: Carlos Trunsky). Conducted by Rodolfo Fischer and produced by Claudia Billourou, it will be sung by Franco Fagioli, Graciela Oddone and Patricia González. May 25, 28 and 30.

There will also be a full season of ballet and symphony concerts: in the latter I´m impressed by the mighty effort of putting on Mahler´s Eighth Symphony ("of the Thousand") conducted by Alejo Pérez ( September 5, 10 and 12).

The Teatro Avenida will be the venue, as usual, for the seasons of Buenos Aires Lírica (BAL) and Juventus Lyrica (JL); the main hitch remains: the pit is too small and limits the projects of these companies. BAL will offer five operas with five performances each; three of them are of special interest. They will start with a milestone of the German repertoire: Beethoven´s "Fidelio". With Brizzio conducting and Rita De Letteriis producing, we shall hear Filipcic-Holm, Folger, Pérez Miranda and Iturralde from April 9.

I feel that "Madama Butterfly" is unnecessary, BAL gave it recently enough. With María Fabris (a new name), Folger, Bauer and Vanesa Mautner; conducted by Vieu. May 28. A welcome revival: Donizetti´s "Belisario", only heard at the Colón in 1981 with Bruson. Omar Carrión, María Luz Martínez (debut), Spina and Peregrino will sing; conductor, Javier Logioia Orbe; producer, José María Condemi. July 16.

Another important revival: Handel´s "Serse", unheard here since its premiere in 1971 at the Colón. Alejo Pérez conducts, Maritano produces, E.Ramírez and Ivanna Speranza sing. September 17.

Finally, Verdi´s "Falstaff" unfortunately collides with the Colón´s. Singers: Luis Gaeta, E.Ramírez, Leonardo Estévez, Osvaldo Peroni. Logioia Orbe conducts, Fabián Von Matt produces. November 12.

Finally, JL offers four operas, all Italian and well-known. Bellini´s "Norma" with Soledad de la Rosa, conducted by Carlos Calleja, produced by Oscar Barney Finn. April 30 to May 8. Then, Puccini´s "Manon Lescaut", conducted by Antonio Russo and produced by Ana D´Anna. With Eugenia Fuente; June 25 to July 3.

Mozart´s "Così fan tutte" is back, conducted by Hernán Schvartzman. No other details; August 20 to 28. To finish, Rossini´s "La Cenerentola" with Mariana Carnovali and the team of Russo and D´Anna, October 22 to 30.

For Buenos Aires Herald