After opening at Montclair State University, Teatro Nuovo is set to bring its 2024 festival to New York City where it will showcase two rarities of the Bel Canto repertoire. One of the operas is well-known in Europe while the other “Anna di Resburgo” by Carolina Uccelli, is unknown to the world. Teatro Nuovo will unearth the work this week with a cast of Bel Canto specialists including Chelsea Lehnea.

The role debut will be a return for Lehnea to Teatro Nuovo. Last season she took on the role of Paolina in Donizetti’s “Poliuto” and OperaWire noted, “Lehnea, brought depth, not just to the role of Paolina, but literal depth with her chest voice. She moved quickly and seamlessly through the passaggi, dropping into and out of her registers with equal strength. Her use of chest voice gave Paolina a powerful punch, providing unmistakable dramaticism and a clear sense of the character’s various emotional states, ranging from anger to despair.”

Now she returns to Bel Canto in a role that is described as “not quite like any other, to the Bel Canto canon.” In a statement to OperaWire Lehnea said, “Carolina Uccelli’s music is marvelous because it sounds like her. She understands the form, but “breaks the rules” in spots with almost jazzy chords. This score also shows how well she understood people…her characterizations fit each role beautifully and ultimately shows the good in each of them which brings about the opera’s happy ending. While ‘Anna di Resburgo’ is only her second opera, it shows that we missed out on an immense talent. It is an honor to be a part of reintroducing her brilliance to the public with the Teatro Nuovo team.”

Throughout her career, Lehnea has also performed at the St. Pete Opera, Washington National Opera, Vero Beach Opera, and Gulfshore Opera. She has gained acclaim for her performances of such operas “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Turandot,” and “Rigoletto,” among others.

Recordings

To hear more of Lehnea’s voice, here are some recordings of “Lucia di Lammermoor” and an excerpt from “Poliuto.”