This week the Teatro Manoel di Malta is presenting Rossini’s “Armida” one of the composer’s most difficult operas and one that has six tenors. This week as the company presents the opera, Anle Gou will sing two of the opera’s tenor roles bringing out his superb Rossini tenor.

Gou, who recently spoke with OperaWire about the technical challenges of Rossini said, “Rossini has as his popular trademark fast rhythmical figurations and frenzied coloratura passages. These aspects require a singer with solid breath control and timbral homogeneity. This is very important to maintain a soft, agile, flexible vocal tone over the whole vocal range. In addition, this particular use of coloratura singing has to be combined with expressive singing necessary to define all the psychological and dramatic faces of the characters. Singing must be more than a ‘technical exhibition,’ but it has to be at the service of the dramatic demands.

Regarding Rossini and his love for the composer, the tenor said, “Rossini created for the tenor the best and most challenging roles! I particularly love Don Ramiro in ‘La Cenerentola’ and Lindoro in ‘L’Italiana in Algeri’ and I feel completely comfortable and related to them. In this moment I’m completely in love and focused on Gernando and Ubaldo which I will debut in this new production of ‘Armida’ at the Teatru Manoel in La Valletta (Malta). The production we are creating with the great Maestro Levi and our wonderful director Paul Carr is really interesting and stimulating. In my opinion, Gernando is a brave and gallant warrior shown in a moment of his life when he is frustrated because his honor and status are not recognized by the authorities and society although he fought and contended earnestly (with sweat and blood) for their values. On the other hand, Ubaldo is a knight with a clear mind, and precise objectives and he is quite incorruptible, really and fully aware of his goals. I like both and I love the challenge of performing and playing two characters that have two different personalities.”

Over the years the Chinese tenor has performed at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), the Beijing Concert Hall, Wiener Staatsoper, Sofia Bulgaria Hall, and at the Theater an der Wien, among others.

Recordings

For those interested in hearing from the tenor, here is a look at arias by Rossini and Mozart.