Rolando Villazón and Daniel Barenboim at La Scala, 2014
Seeing Rolando Villazón in recital for the first time was surprising. I was expecting him to bound on stage like a hyperactive puppy, agitated and full of life, gazing wide-eyed at the audience, searching for its approval; instead I found a composed artist, calming taking his place at the centre of the stage, thoroughly prepared to tackle Schumann’s Dichterliebe.
This is obviously a cycle he knows intimately, and while his German — like his Italian — was not always spot on, he knew exactly what he was saying and communicated it effectively and affectingly. There was nothing theatrical about his manner, he was simple and sincere, and his almost verismo approach gave Schumann’s lieder a powerful impact in a new way.… [continue reading]
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