Artist Of The Week: Guido Loconsolo
Bass-Baritone Adds Another Important Mozart Role To His Repertoire
By Francisco SalazarThroughout the past years, Guido Loconsolo has specialized in Mozart’s works singing all three Da Ponte works and performing various roles from each work. He has also performed “La Clemenza di Tito” and has attempted to take on all the Mozart roles wrote for his voice. His repertoire has also been expansive as he has performed numerous Bel canto works, French works, and the occasional Verdi or verismo opera. But this week Loconsolo continues his exploration of Mozart in another language.
Loconsolo will perform his first German role in “The Magic Flute,” singing his first Papageno. To top it off, he will also make his debut at the famed Macerata Opera Festival in the historical Sferisterio. As he noted in a recent interview about “The Magic Flute” with OperaWire, Loconsolo said, “I always love the Queen of the Night even if it’s the most commercial, but it is very shocking and very difficult. You need a pretty dramatic voice to sing the small but very high role. But I am looking forward to digging in more into the score.” He also noted that he was also looking forward to singing in Macerata because of the great acoustics and the history.
For those not present to see Loconsolo in his debut, he will remain in Italy, performing next season in such theaters as the Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, and Teatro di San Carlo.
Recordings
For those not familiar with Loconsolo’s voice, there is a DVD recording of the bass-baritone performing Masetto in a production of “Don Giovanni” from the Glyndebourne Festival and there is also a DVD of Loconsolo performing “Un Giorno di Regno” with Anna Caterina Antonacci. Lastly, here is a clip of Loconsolo singing alongside his wife Nino Machaidze.