Festival de Lanaudière – Célebration Puccini

Paula Citron
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Célebration Puccini
Festival de Lanaudière
Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Richard Margison and Orchestre Symphonique de Québec
Conducted by Yoav Talmi
Amphithéâtre de Lanaudière
Joliette, Quebec
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Festival de Lanaudière is one of Canada’s most prestigious music events. The concert called Célebration Puccini featured international superstars soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and tenor Richard Margison, with Yoav Talmi conducting the Quebec Symphony.

As always, the programming was inventive. While the arias and duets were from well-known warhorses, the instrumental selections were from lesser known early operas or symphonic pieces which allowed glimpses of both a young and mature composer.

Both Radvanovsky and Margison passed the goose-bump test. The great soprano has a woody distinctive voice marked by a delectable vibrato and the ability to pull her powerful voice back for great effect. She can also hold a note forever. Margison has a ringing voice that always sounds clear and true. The audience went crazy for the singers.

Talmi did a nice job on the duets and orchestral pieces, but was too slow on the arias. His orchestra, however, played very nicely indeed.

Festival de Lanaudière continues at Joliette, Quebec until Aug. 3.