News - The latest about Diana’s engagements and recordings

 

Diana Damrau’s portrayal of Leïla in a new production of Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles at The Metropolitan Opera can be seen worldwide this Saturday, January 16 as part of The Met’s Live in HD cinema broadcasts. Tickets and more information, including encore broadcast dates, is available at the following link.

“. . . a dream cast . . . delivers in this sensitive and insightful production . . . Ms. Damrau brings brilliant coloratura agility, radiant sound and charisma galore to the role of Leila. Her intensity comes with risks, since Leila is a virgin priestess who must keep her vows on pain of death, an edict enforced by the high priest Nourabad (Nicolas Testé, a fine bass-baritone), who accompanies her. In Act II, when Leila and Nadir, having reunited, sing an impassioned, fraught duet, Ms. Damrau’s body twitches with spasms as her character’s suppressed longings burst out . . . Ms. Damrau sang dazzlingly.” Anthony Tommasini – The New York Times

She is joined by a spectacular international cast for this production, including Matthew Polenzani as Nadir, Mariusz Kwiecien as Zurga, and her husband bass-baritone Nicolas Testé sings Nourabad. Maestro Gianandrea Noseda leads the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus for this Penny Woolcock directed staging. Enjoy video previews featuring Damrau and Kwiecien in the Act III duet and “Ton coeur” with Ms. Damrau and Mr. Polenzani.

Image: Ken Howard/The Metropolitan Opera