Andrea concert reviews 2007

xcept · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:07 pm Post subject: Andrea concert reviews 2007

Andrea Bocelli scores a winner at the Shark Tank

Andrea Bocelli pulled off the toughest trick in the classical music game on Sunday night (Dec. 2): He turned a sports arena into an opera house.

Neglecting his crossover classical-pop material for most of the 2 1/2 hour performance, the 49-year-old Italian vocalist focused his talent on operatic arias and tenor material to the delight of the near-capacity crowd at HP Pavilion in San Jose.

The Tuscan-born tenor was greatly aided in his cause by soprano Daniela Bruera, baritone Luis Ledesma, vocalist Heather Headley and the New West Symphony, conducted by maestro Steven Mercurio.

It was an odd site to see the Shark Tank filled with thousands of people in fancy suits and evening dresses, instead of teal hockey jerseys, but for the most part the setting really worked. To help spruce things up, organizers had rolled out a mammoth red carpet on the arena floor and hung giant curtains behind the stage. The acoustics were better than one could have hoped for at a hockey area, but still not good enough to please some of the more finicky fans.

The concert began with a rousing rendition of the overture to Verdi’s “I vespri siciliani’’ (“The Sicilian Vespers’’). Maestro Mercurio led his orchestra in an aggressively animated fashion as he bounced about the podium and swung his baton wildly _ at times using both hands like a batter trying to take a fastball over the fence. He was certainly fun to watch, deserving of a best supporting performer award, if such a thing existed.

As the overture concluded, Bocelli took the stage wearing a black tuxedo and white bowtie and was greeted by a rapturous response from the crowd. Sticking with Verdi, the vocalist performed a joyful version of “La Donna e Mobile’’ (“The Woman is Fickle’’).

The multi-platinum recording artist never strayed from his beloved boot-shaped homeland during the first half of the concert. He just filled his plate with the bread-and-butter of Italian opera _ Verdi and Puccini _ and that resulted in a very fulfilling hour-plus of music for fans. The best performances came with the feisty drinking song “Brindisi’’ from Verdi’s “La Traviata,’’ done as duet with Bruera, and “Te Deum’’ from Puccini’s “Tosca,’’ which was a very worthwhile solo showcase for Ledesma.

Following another duet with Bruera on “Viene la Sera’’ (“Evening is Coming’’) from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly,’’ Bocelli dedicated his performance of the same composer’s “Nessun dorma’’ (“None Shall Sleep’’) to the dearly departed Luciano Pavarotti.

“Recently, we lost a friend _ a big friend. But I like to think he’s still with us,’’ Bocelli said. “I think the best way to remember him is to sing the most famous piece that he sung for you.’’

That touching tribute served as a fitting way to close what had been a very enjoyable first half of the show. After a 15-minute break, Bocelli was back and ready to expand his musical horizon past Italia. He started off with a faithful version of Schubert’s “Ave Maria’’ and continued on with a glorious interpretation of Cesar Frank’s “Panis Angelicus.’’ Bocelli then exited the stage and let Bruera shine under the solo spotlight with a colorful take on “Meine Lippen, Sie Kussen So Heiss’’ from Lehar’s “Giuditta.’’

Following a precious instrumental piece, an intermezzo composed by Mercurio, Bocelli came back to the stage wearing a white jacket, which the tenor made sure to point out was an intentional wardrobe change.

“I change my jacket because now we try to change the feel,’’ he explained.

From that point, the star devoted the rest of his show to the crossover material that has aided him in selling some 60 million records around the globe. He called upon Tony Award-winning vocalist Headley to help him realize a number of these tunes, including the mega-hit “The Prayer’’ (originally recorded with Celine Dion), and had Bruera on hand to sing the Sarah Brightman part on the smash “Time to Say Goodbye.’’

The latter, of course, served as the perfect cue for the performers to take their bows and exit the stage. It was also, in a way, the only disappointment of the evening for these fans. Even after 2 ½ hours of music, Bocelli’s faithful followers still weren’t ready to say goodbye.

Source: Inside Bay Area

novice · Joined: Feb 12, 2006 Posts: 531

This past Friday night the 14th of December I personally got to experience this phenomena of Opera in an arena. Here is the US most concerts are performed in large arena's which normally host Sports events.
A full orchestra with the wonderful lively Mr Steven Mercurio conducting on a stage where normally a hockey goal would be.
The evening started with a very exciting guest of Honor, per Andrea this man is one of his idols since childhood. The guest of honor was Mr Muhammed Ali and Andrea stated that he got to spend an evening with his sports idol the night prior to the concert, he said he was very honored that his idol was present that night.
He also wore a set of autographed boxing gloves at the end of the show, very funny and so very sweet to see Andrea that excited.

Andrea's duet partners were Daniela Bruera and Luis Ledesma as well as Heather Headley.
Verdi's La Traviata as well Puccini's Madam Butterfly and Tosca were brought to live via a big screen projector. While some of the most beloved arias and duets from these Opera's were being sung live on stage, in the background, you could see Andrea's actual performances of these operas. I am not sure just how many people attended but guestemate some 10000. You could have heard a pin drop, was there not the most beautiful sounding Tenor singing. From La Boheme, hearing Andrea and Luis sing the duet of Rudolfo and Marcello bemoaning the loss of their loves, or listening to Daniela and Andrea sing Viene la Sera from Madam Butterfly, took you into an atmosphere and place all of your own souls imagination. I especially enjoyed this particular duet while the screen in the background displayed Andrea in his performance as Pinkerton.
It was apparent that many here did not know that Andrea actually performed this role.
Visions of Tosca and Scarpia flashed aross the screen while Andrea sang E lucevan le Stelle.
BRAVO!!
The second part of the concert filled the air with songs like Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus and a wonderful performance of 'Meine Lippen sie kuessen so heiss' (Lehar) by Daniela.
The close of the concert then featured Heather Headley and Andrea singing favorites like Vivere and Conto della terra. And ending the show with Con te partiro.
Andrea walked from the stage to Muhammed Ali and it was quiet touching to see two people, adamired by so many, showing their admiration for each other!
Over the past 5 years I had the pleasure of being at each concert Andrea performed out here in my area and though I have often lamented the 'venues' being sports arena's rather than music halls or theaters, I have to admit, this concert showed that it can be done.
Andrea's statement is that he feels it is his destiny to bring this beautiful music to the people of the world. He believes he has accomplished that destiny and I certainly agree. It is my hope that more and more people will find beauty and peace in the old classics thru the more modern versions of today!
This evening will remain in my memory as one of my favorite concerts.
_________________
Music Speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it Rest, Heals the Heart and makes it whole - Flows from the heavens to the Soul!

xcept · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject:

Novice, that was a fantastic review! Thank you for sharing it Very Happy

xantha · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject:

What a wonderful evening that must have been Novice - I'm glad you enjoyed it and could share it with us. Smile