ADIÓS JOSÉ - Josep Carreras' emotional Abschiedsgala at the Wiener Staatsoper
The highlight of the year. This would be the usual label to define a huge event such as Josep Carreras' Farewell Gala at the Wiener Staatsoper, which was celebrated last Tuesday, 14 September.
However, as we all know, we are not living in a normal situation at all. So, the chance to attend Josep Carreras' final performance at the Vienna State Opera, a stage he has stepped over 140 times in his career (the first one back in 1974), is much more than a privilege. It's a miracle.
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| Wiener Statsoper / Michael Pöhn |
The José Carreras Abschiedsgala consisted in a charity recital in support of CAPE 10. The legendary tenor performed with his pianist, Maestro Lorenzo Bavaj, and the Kallisto Quartet. As special guests, mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča, soprano Johanna Wallroth and baritone Michael Arivony.
A few days before, Josep Carreras met the press at the Chopard Boutique and explained his feelings with regards to his farewell at the "Haus am Ring". In particular, he confessed that he was very nervous but excited as well, as it was going to be a sad moment but a real challenge and a privilege at the same time.
He also confirmed that, in spite of being his final performance at the Wiener Staatsoper, it does not mean that he is not singing again in other Austrian venues, especially for charity.
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ADIÓS JOSÉ, said the neon sign on the facade of the building while the audience was filling the hall to say goodbye and show gratitude to one of their most admired artists who wrote some of the most memorable pages of the Wiener Staatsoper's history.
The event was already sold out a few hours after the ticket sale started.
Despite everyone was wearing face masks, you could breathe an incredible atmosphere from the very moment you arrived in front of the main entrance. We all knew that we were going to live an unforgettable experience.
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Once the hall was completely full, the Gala was opened by the Director of the Wiener Staatsoper, Bogdan Roščić.
During his laudatory speech, he recalled some of the most remarkable moments of the 47-year love story between Carreras and the Vienna State Opera. From his debut as the Duke of Mantua of Rigoletto, later as Cavaradossi of Tosca and Rodolfo of La Bohème, or Adorno of Simon Boccanegra in 1983, Calaf of Turandot, Don José of Carmen... a total amount of 21 opera roles and over 140 night performances.
A few video excerpts like the stunning finale from Carmen (with Agnes Baltsa, 1990), Nessun Dorma from Turandot, and the rare audio recording of O Soave Fanciulla from La Bohème. The latter is taken from a live performance with Mirella Freni as Mimì under the baton of Herbert von Karajan, in which he was rewarded by the audience with a 40-minute ovation, something that doesn't happen anymore.
The Director could not avoid mentioning the exceptional Vienna Comeback recital, Carreras was invited to offer at the Wiener Staatsoper right after his recovery from leukaemia, on 16 September 1988. Thirty-three years before.
After each excerpt, the audience responded with huge ovations, but in the very moment the 74-year old tenor arrived on stage, the Opera House burned with passionate devotion. A long, thunderous ovation and a shower of bravos welcomed Carreras, accompanied by Lorenzo Bavaj.
The recital, which consisted of one single part without intermission, will be broadcast by ORF III next Sunday, 3 October.
Josep Carreras opened his farewell gala recital with two solo pieces by Tosti, L'Ultima Canzone and Sogno, which allowed him to warm up and defuse his initial tension.
He continued with Vurria and T'Estimo, the latter in his mother tongue and his intention to make his very best vas very clear. After each piece, the celebrated tenor was overwhelmed by applause.
En Aranjuez, con tu amor deserves a special mention, beautifully arranged with strings and piano and crowned by an incredible, intense interpretation.
The rest of the program fas focused on Neapolitan songs, Serenata Sincera, Dicitencello Vuje, and Passione, which once more gave evidence of the intact beauty of his phrasing and musicality.
He managed to turn each obstacle into strong points with his experience, combining exquisite delicacy and power, mezza voce and full voice.
No matter how many times you have listened to the same piece, his renditions are never flat and never the same. He always provides them with new expressive details, with a new aura of beauty... and this is what a great artist is all about.
As previously mentioned, Carreras was joined by other guest artists. Soprano Johanna Wallroth and baritone Michael Arivony performed quite early, at first with a solo piece (one the one side, O mio babbino caro from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, and Ständchen by Schubert on the other) and soon after in the Pamina - Papageno duet from Die Zauberflöte (Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen).
The Kallisto Quartet had a couple of solo performances as well, Crisantemi by Puccini and Die Mozartisten, a waltzer by Josef Lanner.
However, the audience was waiting for special guest Elīna Garanča on stage. The great mezzo-soprano was warmly welcomed and sang a solo version of Musica Proibita and later joined Josep Carreras in a couple of duets, Je te veux and an emotional Non ti scordar di me.
It was the very first time Carreras and Garanča performed together. This really made the difference, a real privilege for us all to see such great singers together.
Josep Carreras closed the official program with one of his forte, Core 'ngrato, and with such a stunning finale the audience went crazy and started a never-ending sequence of standing ovations.
They really couldn't stop until the celebrated tenor didn't come back on stage, and this happened about a dozen times. This make way for six encores.
After the first two, Vierno and 'A Vucchella, Carreras was joined by Elīna Garanča, Johanna Wallroth and Michael Arivony and the four sang together Torna a Surriento.
Later, Director Bogdan Roščić came back on stage to honour Josep Carreras with the original poster of the performance of La Bohème (1977) he had mentioned during his introductory speech.
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| Wiener Statsoper / Michael Pöhn |
Three encores more followed, Tu ca nun chiagne, Me so 'mbriacato 'e sole and, the grand finale, Granada which made the hall burst with excitement.
Carreras was completely devoted to his audience, possibly like never before as he knew that ot was to be the last time. And the Viennese audience, renowned to be one of those with best knowledge and greatest respect towards the artist, clearly felt the responsibility to reward him for a 47-year dream.
On the screen behind the stage, one of the most important houses of his life said to him Adieu und Danke!
After the recital, a private dinner took place inside the opera house during which Josep Carreras was honoured with the Goldener Rathausmann, the Golden City Hall Man, by the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig.
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| Photo: Michael Ludwig (Twitter) |
When Carreras came out, he told the press that he regretted it was the end, but that he couldn't be happier at the same time. With reference with her first time on stage with him, Elīna Garanča said that touching the legend was really special, and that she will treasure that moment for ever.
Aufwiederhoeren, Maestro.
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