José Cura, the brilliant opera star of the 21st century, will be one of the guests of honour at the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra’s closing concert on 7 June, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The Argentinean world star will perform some of the finest arias from the operatic repertoire at the centenary concert in the Főnix Arena, where the other guest of honour will be world-famous Czech artist Ester Pavlu.
Program:
Part I:
Saint-Saëns: III. (organ) symphony op. 78.
Part II:
Bizet: Carmen – Habanera
Bizet: Carmen – Seguidilla
Puccini: Tosca – E lucevan le stelle
Puccini: Tosca – Te Deum
Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana – Intermezzo
Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana – “Inneggiamo, il Signor non è morto”
Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana – “Voi lo sapete, o mamma”
Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana – “Tu qui, Santuzza”
Verdi: Nabucco – “Va pensiero”
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila – “Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix”
José Cura is the shining opera star of the 21st century, a true musical polymath: in addition to his stage and concert singing, he also composes and conducts music, and, looking beyond the stage to other artistic disciplines, he also directs, designs sets, costumes and takes photographs. In his own words, he excels in diversity and is convinced that everything he creates is a branch of the same activity.
Although as a child his teacher discouraged him from making music, citing his lack of interest, Cura’s talent, coming from a family of music lovers, soon found its way to him, leaving no doubt. This was coupled with a great sense of purpose and a dedication to making audiences love classical music: standing on stage, he guides his audience through the many facets of music as an experienced showman.
After moving to Europe from his native Argentina and winning the Operalia singing competition founded by Placido Domingo in 1994, he was offered contracts by the world’s most famous opera houses. He has excelled in the operas of Verdi, Puccini and Saint-Saëns, but, because he believes that music should not and must not be categorized, she also sings musicals, pop, jazz and even spirituals in concert.
The Maestro’s connections in Hungary – his friendships here, so to speak – go back nearly a quarter of a century: he regularly appears in concert halls and festivals in Budapest and other major cities. On 7 June, the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, will perform the most beautiful arias of the operatic repertoire on the stage of the Főnix Arena, performed by José Cura and the world-renowned Czech artist Ester Pavlu. The concert will also feature the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kodály Choir (choir director: Zoltán Kocsis-Holper), as well as the Choir of the Csokonai National Theater Debrecen.
The evening will be conducted by two charismatic conductors, Alexander Sladkovsky, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Tatar National Symphony Orchestra, and Dániel Somogyi-Tóth, Chief Music Director of the City of Debrecen.
Tickets are available HERE.
