(Photo: Martynas Aleksa) The Lithuanian National Opera opened its 100th season with a stunning premiere — Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide,” in a fully staged production for the first time in Lithuania. Directed by Vincent Boussard with Sesto Quatrini, Ričardas Šumila, and Lochlan Brown in the pit, this production will be shown during three runs before Christmas. During the September showcase, two casts change {…}
The Festival Valle d’Itra in Martina Franca has announced a cast change for its premiere of Antonio Manfroce’s “Ecuba.” The festival announced that due to illness Fabio Luisi will not be able to conduct the performance. As a result, Sesto Quatrini will conduct the two performances scheduled for July 30 and August 4, 2019. Quatrini is a well-established conductor who has {…}
It seems like Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre are finally ready for changes. This September, the Artistic Director position was taken by Sesto Quatrini, the Italian conductor who once said he had general ambitions to change the approach to opera in Italy. Interestingly, in Lithuania he faces far more serious and specific changes that need to be done. Maestro Quatrini’s plans sound {…}
Teatro La Fenice certainly plays its part in making “La Traviata” the most oft-performed opera in the world. This season alone it will present 35 performances, with another 25 scheduled for next year. As in many houses, therefore, Verdi’s much loved opera forms part of the company’s staple repertoire. Obviously, an orchestra’s familiarity with a work may act as either {…}
The Lithuanian National Opera has appointed the Italian conductor, Sesto Quatrini, as its Artistic Director and as its Principal Conductor as of this month. During its 2108-19 season Maestro Quatrini will conduct “La Bohème,” “I Capuleti e I Montecchi,” and “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” as well as a Gala Concert. Although this season’s operas had already been scheduled before he {…}
Nicolà Vaccai (1790 – 1848) was an Italian composer determined to make a success in the field of opera. Unfortunately, and despite limited success, he was ultimately to fail, eclipsed in his early years by the genius of his contemporary, Gioacchino Rossini, and unable, in his later years, to adapt to the rapidly changing tastes exemplified in the new dramatic {…}
Sesto Quatrini made his Italian debut, conducting Verdi’s “Un giorno di regno,” at the Festival della Valle d’Itria, July 20, 2017, a little over one year ago. Since then he has debuted at, amongst other venues, La Fenice and Verona. It has been a rapid rise for the young conductor who, at the age of 34, seems destined for the {…}
The beauty of Martina Franca is probably best witnessed in the early morning, when the streets are deserted and the white stone buildings are bathed in the cool morning sun. At 6 a.m. there are very few people around, and the exquisite architecture of the town can be truly appreciated. The Basilica di San Martina, which will host Rossini’s “Messe” {…}