Encore: The duet between Don Giovanni and Zerlina, arranged for 7 voices. From left: Bernhard Richter, tenor, Mojca Erdmann,sopran, Arturo Chacon-Cruz, tenor, Clemence Barrabe, sopran, Markus Werba, baryton, Lawrence Zazzo, counter tenor, and Nathalie Mafrino, soprano. Behind Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, conducted by Frederic Chaslin. Foto: Henning Hoholt

PARIS: GREAT VOICES celebrated its 20 YEARS JUBILEE at Theatre des Champs Elysees in Paris last Friday November 18th.

It was an interesting concert. Split up in two parts, with a romance part first, starting with French composers,  Faures Apres un reve, Clair de lune sung by Nathalia Manfrino, with piano accompagnement by Maciej Pikulski, who in addition virtuosly played two great solo pieces Chopins Grand Polonaise op 22, and Liszt Concert Parafrase build on themas from Verdis Rigoletto, and together with the young cellist Yan Levionnois: Fauré´s Sicilienne opus 78.  Furthermore  together with the soprano Natalie Manfrino they performed beautifully Massanets Elégie
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Other highlights in this part was four songs by Richard Strauss with first Clemence Barrabe singing Als mir dein Lied erklang, followed by the wonderful soprano Mojca Erdmann with Schlagende Herzen, Morgen, which was absolutely outstanding performed together with the violinist Satenik Khourdoians deliciouse violin tunes full of feeling.

Maciej Pikulski (piano), Mojca Erdmann and Bernard Richter. Foto: Henning Hoholt

Finaly in the first part Schumann, headed by the tenor Bernhard Richter with four somgs from Robert Schumanns Dichterliebe, Wenn ich in deine Augene seh. Ich will meine Sceele rauchen. Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome and Ich grolle nicht, very beautiful and well formed.  Furthermore ending of the first part with Das Gluck from Schumanns Liederalbum o. 79. together with Mojca Erdmann. Deliciouse
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Second part with arias, duets and ensembles by Mozart together with the Orchestre Ensemble de Paris conducted by Frederic Chaslin, which did a great job in first a part from Cosi van Tutte starting with the ouverture, followed by Ferrandos arie, Ah, lo veggio sung by Bernard Richter, Foiordiligis arie Per pieta, ben mio, perdona performed by Nathalie Manfrino, and the duet Fra gli amplessi with then Constanzes wonderful aria from L´Enlevement d Seraillet, then entered a handsome looking male operasinger, and I thought now we should hear a great bass baryton, but it was a good sounding countertenor Lawrence Zazzo. – With charm who brilliant performed Farnaces aria from Mitridate, Re de Ponto. This wass followed by two arias from Idomene, first Ilias aria Quando avrai fine omai sung by Mojca Erdmann and Idomeneos aria Fuor del mar very well presented by Aturo Chacon-Cruz(tenor).

Markus Werba, Mojca Erdmann and Frederic Chaslin and membersof Ensemble de Paris. Foto: Henning Hoholt

It all ended up with a small part from The Magic Flute starting with “Ich bin ein Vogelfänger , ja”, with the handsome young baryton Markus Werba, and the Pappageno and Pappagena duet together with Mojca Erdmann. – We will look forward to listen to Markus Werba again in December, when he shall sing – Papageno in The Magic Flüte in 6 performance 16th – 25th Decenber. Furthermore we shall also enjoy Werba as Guglielmo together with Bernard Richter as Ferrando in Cosi van Tutte at Theatre des Champs Elysee 22- 31 Mai 2012. A good choise of well singing male singers. As encore the duet between Don Giovanni and Zerlina arranged for all the ensemble of 7 singers.

Applaus, from left, Maciej Pikulski, piano, Renaud Capucon, violin, Yan Levionnois and Gautier Capucon, celli, Frederic Chaslin conductor. Foto: Henning Hoholt

– But before the Magic Flute, – a strange put in, the two wonderful brothers Renaud (violin) and Gautier (cello) Capucon playing Händel/Halvorsen Passacagia for violin and cello outstanding, perhaps the most virtuose and expressive version of this wellknown violin/cello piece that I have ever heard. Very representative for the two young artists.

It was the celebration of that it was 20 years since Jean-Pierre Le Pavec took the initiative to one of the most prestigefull series of concerts in the world the Big Voices – `Les Grandes Voices`. 20 years later, it is more than 25 concerts that the serie presents with its prinicpal meetings in Paris,but in addition tournees to Montpellier, Geneve,London, Wienna and Munich. . . . The Theatre des Champs Elysees was old out, as far as I could see.  Congratulations.