Anna Netrebko, Joyce DiDonato - I Capuleti - Duet

I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Bellini-1830), Paris
Opéra Bastille June 2008.
Anna Netrebko, soprano (Giulietta) - Joyce DiDonato, mezzo (Romèo), Evelino Pidò, conductor - Chorus & Orchestre de l'Opéra national de Paris - Robert Carsen, Michael Levine & David Cunningham (Designs).

ACTE I, Scene 2
« Giuletta tries to explain why she cannot flee her home with Romèo because of her duty to her family. This comes in the middle of a ravishing and draining 14 minute duet in the first act. Performing with Anna Netrebko was wonderful, because it felt as though we were really creating a very realistic dramatic tension which the audience felt - because in these moments the silence in the theater pulsed with energy. As the duet continues, Romèo pleads his case again to his beloved Giuletta, not understanding how she can believe that there is a power greater than the love they share together. It's a wonderfully crafted scene, because we get insight to the youth of Romèo as his wounds escalate due to his inability to see her very real dilemma - for him, his undying love for her is the answer for all, and all she should need. Of course, to drive home the point of this pure love, Bellini gives us those delicious thirds for them to sing in perfect, harmonic unison. (For the record, as a performer, these kinds of moments are the "Holy Grail" moments!). »
- Joyce DiDonato's comment -

Photos. ONP, E. Mahoudeau, C. Leiber, S. Mathè