JOSÉ CURA, "Un di all'azzurro spazio" - Andrea Chénier. 2006

JOSÉ CURA sang "Un di all'azzurro spazio" - Andrea Chénier at Teatro Comunale di Bologna in Bologna in January, 2006.
Live from Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

JOSE CURA, "Andrea Chenier" Bologna and Japan Tour in 2006
. JOSÉ CURA, "Andrea Chenier" Bologna in 2006
Teatro Comunale di Bologna
January 15, 17, 19, 22
In January 2006, Cura returned to stage in the title role in Andrea Chénier at Teatro Comunale di Bologna (released on DVD). Giordano opera provided a showcase for Cura's insightful interpretation and expressive vocals.

--- Japan Tour in 2006 ---
JOSÉ CURA, "Andrea Chenier" Japan in 2006
June 10, 13, 15, 18
In June 2006, Cura returned to Japan with Teatro Comunale di Bologna as the lead role in Andrea Chénier. His stellar performance was greeted with glowing reviews and enthusiastic applause led by the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, a noted opera lover.

Andrea Chénier – José Cura
Maddalena di Coigny – Maria Guleghina
Carlo Gérard – Carlo Guelfi
La mulatta Bersi – Giacinta Nicotra
La Contessa di Coigny – Cinzia de Mola
Madelon – Annie Vavrille
Roucher – Carlo Cigni
Un “Incredibile” – Pierre Lefebvre

Carlo Rizzi: conductor
Bologna Teatro Comunale Chorus and Orchestra
(chorus master: Marcel Seminara)

Giancarlo del Monaco: stage director, set and costume designer
Wolfgang von Zoubek: lighting designer
Astrid Ascarelli: choreographer

Il Giornale ----- A perfect Andrea Chénier, with José Cura at his best. Cura has put down his baton and returned to the stage in a role that, with his lirico spinto voice and handsome looks, leaves the impression was written specifically for him. His return is marked by newly formed brilliance and expressive new maturity. Cura sings "Improvviso," which is certainly not a piece of candy in its phrasing, lyricism and fervor, with ease and the audience erupted in applause. In his farewell to life, "Come un bel dì di maggio", he offers soaring high notes held with long breath but also softness, mezzo voce and dynamics.

Classical Net ----- This production’s Chénier is the Argentine tenor José Cura. He sang Chénier’s two major arias on his “Verismo” CD, and his performance here remains similar – heroic, yet thoughtful. This is a much subtler interpretation than Mario del Monaco’s and Corelli’s. Cura is handsome, credible, and, at times, quite touching. (I confess to getting choked up during “Un dì, all’azzurro spazio.”)

MundoClasico ----- Cura was a great protagonist. He presented a fresh, smooth voice in top form. The baritone timbre quality of the role perfectly marries with the middle register and the rise to the high notes, ringing and bright, presented no problem. More detached than shy in the first Act, but always passionate, he brought the house down with “A dì all' azzurro spazio,” a fiery hymn to justice from the true Chénier. “Sì, fui soldado” contained the right amount of vehemence, while “Come un bel dì di maggio” was as poetic as the character. The versatile Argentinian artist gave a generous interpretation that delighted the audience.

Klassik ----- Giordano's ‘Andrea Chénier’ is now available in a captivating recording from Bologna. With regard to the singing, this performance is one of world-class caliber. José Cura presents himself as one of the best tenors at this time. He is indeed the excellent actor one expects him to be, with a sophisticated perception of his own body, which he brings into play convincingly. In his singing, each note seems deeply felt; the voice performs effortlessly with a warm, dark timbre all the way to the totally clear high notes. Cura's is the perfect balance between spirit and life. The big aria in the first act stands as an example of the art of singing at its best. He thrilled the audience in Bologna with his incredibly nuanced palette of (vocal) colors, a wealth of shadings as well as a large range of dynamics.