Artist of the Week: Sebastian Catana

Romanian Baritone Makes Teatro Carlo Felice Debut

By Francisco Salazar

This week the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova is set to open its new season with a new production of “Sull’essere angeli” and “Pagliacci” directed by Cristian Taraborrelli. The production will be realized in collaboration with RAI Cultura and will be broadcast on Italian television. It will also mark the house debut of baritone Sebastian Catana as Tonio.

Catana, who has performed in Italy for many years, will sing in Genova for the first time. It will also be a special occasion as he will sing his second Tonio, a role he debuted over the summer at the Arena di Verona.

Talking about Tonio and his house debut, Catana said, “During these days of preparations and rehearsals I feel quite emotional to be part of the rebirth of Teatro Carlo Felice together with great colleagues and such an intense production. I am very happy and excited to be making my debut with a great role like Tonio, both from a vocal and dramatic point of view. We are working on building the psychological aspect of this character as he relates to the other characters. I am looking forward to being on stage and giving my best to the wonderful Genovese audience!”

Hailed for his “warm tone,” The Romanian baritone has become synonymous with the Verdi and the Italian repertoire over the years. An alumnus of the Seattle Opera and Baltimore Opera training programs, Catana has performed at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Teatro La Fenice, and Palm Beach Opera.

He is also a prize winner of such competitions as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Voice Competition, Giulio Gari Foundation International Voice Competition, and Loren L. Zachary Society National Vocal Competition.

For those who are not in Genova for Catana’s house debut, the baritone is set to return to the Israeli Opera for Germont in “La Traviata,” one of his signature roles.

Recording 

For those not familiar with the baritone’s voice, Catana has various recordings including Lauro Rossi’s “Cleopatra” from the Macerata Festival, Verdi’s “Otello” with Robert Dean Smith, and “Atilla” from the Teatro Regio di Parma.

Here he is performing from Puccini’s “Toca.”

Here he is singing from “Macbeth”

Here he is singing from “I Due Foscari.”

 

 

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