Artist of the Week: Ruth Iniesta

Spanish Soprano Makes her Role Debut as Giulietta in ‘I Capuleti e i Montecchi’

By Francisco Salazar

This week, the Teatro Massimo di Bellini in Catania will celebrate the famed composer with “I Capuleti e i Montecchi.” To mark the occasion, the  the Italian theater has hired two important bel canto singers for the job.

Leading the charge is Spanish soprano Ruth Iniesta who will take on the role of Giulietta for the first time in her career. Giulietta will mark her second full Bellini work following her acclaimed performances as Elvira in “I Puritani;” she took on the late Bellini opera at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo and at the Teatro Verdi of Trieste. Iniesta famously learned the role of Elvira in 10 days after her colleague dropped out and garnered ovations for her portrayal.

The role of Giuletta is also the latest bel canto role for the Spanish soprano following roles in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Don Pasquale,” “L’elisir d’amore,” “Il baribere di Siviglia,” “Il viaggio a Reims,” “Armida,” and “La donna del lago.”

The upcoming role will also mark her debut at the Teatro Massimo di Catania which is one of the great Italian theaters known for promoting Bellini’s music and its tradition. For audiences not be in Italy for the two performances on Sept. 23 and 25, Rai 5 will broadcast the new production.

This season, Iniesta will also grace the stages of the Liceu, Staatsoper Hamburg, Palau de les Arts, and Teatro Real de Madrid.

Recordings 

For audiences not familiar with the soprano’s voice, here is a look at some of her memorable roles in such operas as “I Puritani,” “La Traviata,” “Rigoletto,” “Il Viaggio a Reims,” and “La Boheme.”

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Artist of the Week