Olga Peretyatko’s Long-Standing Relationship with Rossini

By Francisco Salazar

Olga Peretyatko, born on May 21, 1980, is one of in-demand coloratura sopranos of her time. She is currently dominating the role of Gilda in Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.”

However, before Olga Peretyatko was a huge star in the opera world the soprano was a household name at the Rossini Opera Festival where she achieved many great successes. Thanks to the festival’s televised series Peretyatko has numerous recordings available for those not familiar with her Rossini work. Here is an overview of some of the Rossini roles that developed her into the star soprano she is today.

Sigismondo

This one of the least known works in the Rossini canon but the Rossini Opera Festival revived the work with Peretyatko as Aldimira and she garnered rave reviews with critics praising her “warm, centered, expressive and clear lyric tone and with the benefit of a secure top and trill.” The cast also included Daniela Barcellona, Andrea Concetti and Antonino Siragusa with Michele Mariotti.

La Scala di Seta 

This is one of Rossini’s better-known works which Luciana Serra performed during her career. Thanks to the Rossini Opera Festival, the opera was revived with Peretyatko as Giulia. During the run, her voice was “phrased for her luscious in voice and figure, persuasive in her bel canto style as well as her equally agile vocally and physically.” The cast Daniele Zanfardino, Olga Peretyatko, José Manuel Zapata and Carlo Lepore.

Matilde Di Shabran

In 2013 Peretyatko was paired with Juan Diego Flórez in one of the most memorable evenings at the Rossini Opera Festival in the rarely performed “Matilde di Shabran.” The soprano brought her vocal fireworks to the title role and critics noted that she inhabited the title role as if it, too, were tailored for a perfect fit. Alongside the two superstars, Paolo Bordogna and Nicola Alaimo starred with Michele Mariotti.

Two other roles that Peretyatko performed in her youth included  Corinna and Contessa di Folleville from “Il Viaggio a Reims.” She continues to perform Desdemona in “Otello.”

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