For the first time one of today’s greatest opera stars of modern times is performing in Rijeka, the Latvian mezzo-soprano to whom the doors to the world’s operatic stages have opened.
Elina Garanča (LV) is one of today’s greatest opera stars. This Latvian mezzo-soprano drew attention as early as the second year of d her studies when, in ten days, she prepared for the role of Giovanna Seymour in Donizetti’s opera Anna Bolena. Victory at the Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition in Finland in the role of Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto in 1999 opened the doors for her to the world’s operatic stages. Equally successful are her interpretations of Mozart’s heroines, bel canto opera repertoire, as well as sacral works.
The New York Times wrote about her: “Garanča sings with rich sound, an unerring feel for the nuance and subtext of a phrase, and alluring sensuality. The clarity in her singing makes this Carmen seem intelligent and wily.”
She has performed at the most important opera houses such New York’s Metropolitan Opera, London’s Royal Opera Covent Garden, Vienna and Bavaria state operas, the Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna’s Musikverein, Grand Théâtre in Geneva, Semperoper Dresden, Paris’s Opera Garnier and alike.
Riccardo Muti, Kurt Masur, Sir Roger Norrington, Marris Jansons, Nicolaus Harnoncourt, Fabio Luisi, Marco Armiliato, Anna Netrebko, Ramón Vargas, Rolando Villazón, Bryn Terfel and René Pape… are just some of the famous conductors and singers with whom she has collaborated so far.
She has recorded ten or so CDs and DVDs for the most prestigious publishing houses. She has received many awards, four of which were for singer of the year (Echo Klassik 2007 and 2009 Awards, Musical America Award 2010, MIDEM Classical Awards 2010). The European Cultural Foundation awarded her the European Cultural Award for Music in 2006, whilst a recording of Vivaldi’s opera Bajazet earnt her a nomination for a Grammy Award and the award of the MIDEM Classical Awards in 2006 for the best opera recording. This gala concert is her first performance in Rijeka.