(photo of Cura © Cuibar Productions S.L.)
On the 92nd anniversary of the Italian debut of Giocomo Puccini's La Rondine, Teatro Comunale di Bologna has gotten feisty, and we <3 it. As guest conductor on the podium flexing his musical skills, it will be Argentinian tenor (and part-time conductor) José Cura.
La Rondine acts as the low-cost substitution, taking over for Britten's more elaborate "A Midsummer Night's Dream", which was axed from the season last October to money cuts (also cut was Mozart's Nozze and Boito's Nerone).
Opening night is February 17, 2009. Cura will also conduct Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna on January 30, 2009 in a symphony concert.