Last Week in Sardegna
27 March, 2010
Sardegna is a magnificent place. I had already conducted “Porgy and Bess” at the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari last year.
I was invited back to conduct Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town.”
Sardegna is a magnificent place. I had already conducted “Porgy and Bess” at the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari last year.
I was invited back to conduct Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town.” The magnificent Broadway singer Kim Criswell performed the role of Ruth and Olga Listova played her sister Eileen. Sebastien Lemoine (Robert Baker), Zachary Halley (Tour Guide/Frank Lippencott) Leroy Villanueva (The Wreck/Editor/Chick Clark) and Vincent Ordenneau (Officer Lonigan/Editor) all sang brilliantly. I had already worked with these performers before and we have become very good friends. I am also happy to say that we got excellent reviews. We had a full house on both nights and the orchestra was fantastic. They really got the hang of interpreting the jazzy idioms within the score.
We also decided to take the opportunity and spend an extra few days to enjoy Sardegna, its good weather and fine food. We hired a car to go around the island and discovered some real gems. The east coast of the island is just wonderful. The beaches are pristine with barely anybody in sight. We discovered some wonderful local fish restaurants and pizzerias. The people were very warm, helpful and friendly. They are proud of their island and what it has to offer.
I do look forward to working with the orchestra again next year.
I now left Sardegna and am in Milan working with Orchestra Verdi where I am guest conductor. The programme is challenging yet very enjoyable. The programme consists of Bernstein’s Divertimento followed by his Serenade. In the second half of the programme I conduct Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony. It is a very intense programme but one that I am finding new aspects to it every time I conduct the pieces.
My next series of programmes take me on a different journey altogether. I am sure I will get the opportunity to share these with you in my next entry.