Brescia Charity Concert with Kristjan Johannsson at Vittoriale
Charity Commitment and Concert at Vittoriale
New philanthropic effort in Brescia for the renowned tenor Kristjan Johannsson. Following his recent success at the «Forza del destino» production in Piazza della Loggia, the distinguished singer of Icelandic origin (but adopted Gardesano) will perform a benefit recital at the Vittoriale Theater on Saturday, August 5. The proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Associazione gardesana per lo studio e la prevenzione dei tumori, an organization that also conducts important mammographic screening activities in the area.
Under the evocative title «E lucevan le stelle», the prestigious lyrical concert in the D’Annunzio amphitheater will feature, alongside Johannsson, the young French soprano Danielle Streiff and, in place of the previously announced Alberto Mastromarino, the baritone Antonio Salvadori. Salvadori, also long applauded during the recent «Forza del destino» and familiar to Brescia audiences from numerous performances at the Grande theater, will join them. The Orchestra Virgilius, conducted by Giovanni Andreoli, will accompany.
Various lyrical arias and ticket sales
Certainly drawing attention is the selection of lyrical pieces offered: ranging from Puccini’s «Tosca» («E lucevan le stelle», «Vissi d’arte», «Recondita armonia») to Verdi’s «Traviata» («Libiam», «È strano», «Di Provenza il mare e il suol»), from the iconic «Nessun dorma» to the famous «Musica proibita» by Gastaldon. Tickets (60,000 lire for the stalls, 30,000 for the gallery) are on sale at the Vittoriale box office (tel. 0365/296519; website: www.vittoriale.it/teatro).
Taking advantage of the launch of the initiative, held yesterday morning at the Hotel Vittoria, we asked Kristjan Johannsson if his frequent commitments in the Brescia area suggest a future participation in the Grande opera season.
The tenor’s words
«Unfortunately, no –» replied the tenor disappointedly – «and it’s a real shame because I see that Brescia’s enthusiasts follow me with great affection. I have only sung once at the Grande, but even then for a beneficent concert: I always participate wholeheartedly in such initiatives.»
«However, it’s not the last word on a future appearance in the lyric season. Though, in any case, it won’t be imminent. They discussed Togni’s opera, but it didn’t suit my repertoire. Perhaps, one day we will see!». (m. biz.)