Dec 7, 2009: Barenboim's Carmen @ la Scala With Kauffman, Schrott, and?

The 2009-2010 season at Teatro alla Scala will begin on December 7, 2009, with a production that, on paper, seems much less disorganized than the recent fired-Filianoti, booed-Gatti sad disaster of a Don Carlo.

The next season opener is a Carmen that Maestro Scaligero (aka super special principal guest conductor) Daniel Barenboim will conduct; Sicilian prodigy Emma Dante -- an interesting, and out of left field choice to say the least -- will direct the production; Escamillo will be Mr. Anna Netrebko aka Erwin Schrott; Don José will be Jonas Kaufmann, as Scala GM Stephane Lissner told "Il Giornale".

What about the lead?, you'll ask.

As of today, they don't really have one yet. If Nadja Michael manages to get out of a commitment at la Monnaie in Brussels (Iphigenie) that overlaps with Carmen, she'll be cast. Another name that's been floated around is Marina Domashenko's -- both singers have already worked with Barenboim, in different roles, in the past and DB doesn't seem keen on working with an untested singer for this big prima.

Obviously, if all else fails, the solution is easy:

Just mike'er up, close down the loggione and enjoy the worldwide publicity!

Comments

[Willym]

I believe it was Pauline Kael who once referred something as "all lure no allure" - does that apply in this case?

[Willym]

and not meaning to be nasty or anything but she may have graducated from RAM three years too early.

[Constantine A. Papas]

KJ's voice is so Carmen-esque! It can bring La Scala down, literally, and put it out of its misery for good, God forbid! OC, out of respect for you and your blog, please stop giving her a forum where she doesn't belong and legitimize her vocal caricature.

[knowbody]

Who f^cking wants to work there anyway? (and get booed/ fired)?...
I feel sorry for the chosen Carmen already.

[Diva In Training]

That left me gasping....for air. Is it possible to hyperventilate from singing that way?

[alejandra]

Poor KJ... awful french, throwing away that pretty voice with untrained singing, posing as an opera singer -and she is not... if La Scala wants a really good excuse for closing, they should hire her...

[tom]

Nadja Michael is a "soprano" now - her voice is ruined anyway. If she dares to sing there, you know what the reaction of the audience will be like...

[Laura]

This was actually the first time I had the guts to listen to KJ. My god.
She sings like when I was six, and I kinda knew the melody to a song, but I didn't know the exact words. I just knew what they kinda sounded like. Blech. Just blech.

[Nathan]

I find it slightly disturbing that a Carmen has not yet been cast - it screams sloppy seconds from the outset. I don't think KJ will be available for Carmen until at least '10 anyway... she has to watch her maturing voce. I can't wait until her 30th birthday when it all comes out in the wash.

[furst]

We haven't heard either MD, or NM,but based on most available reports, Tom's characterization of her voice seems accurate. We don't suppose DB would expand his horizons to include KA, would he? I'm sure she'll be happy to cancel whatever else may be on her plate, and while we haven't heard her either she's supposed to be quite good (if you learn anything of her Munich Carmen please let us know) but she's yummy and we would certainly give her a try.

[Mr King]

Domashenko has already sung Carmen under barenboim at the Berlin Staatsoper in 2004 or so. Nadja Michael would be utterly appalling.

[maura]

her rhythm SUCKS and makes me want to cry. i mean i knew it was bad, but seriously! how did she pass RAM juries?? the world wants to know.

[vick]

I'm rooting for KJ KJ KJ KJ KJ KJ KJ KJ KJ!!