Mezzo-soprano Lisa Marie Rogali made her title role debut in Virginia Opera's Carmen, alongside three UIA artists well-seasoned in their roles. The result? "Operatic bliss."
Ms. Rogali had the pleasure of debuting alongside tenor Zach Borichevsky, for whom Don José has become a signature role, and soprano Sarah Tucker, who reprised her "lovely and sympathetic" Micaëla. All three sang under the capable baton of Adam Turner, Artistic Director of Virginia Opera, leading players from the Virginia Symphony.
Carmen has two more performances this weekend in Richmond, VA (Friday, November 22 at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 24 at 2:30pm) following previous weekends in Norfolk and Fairfax.
Lisa Marie Rogali and Zach Borichevsky
"They make an exceptionally striking couple, Borichevsky (Don José), tall, dark and intense — still dutiful, despite his incarceration... Carmen is shorter than her paramour Don José, but intensely aware of her body: she’s the essence of sultry, supple sex appeal, especially when she lounges on a table or seductively dances to castanets..."
Lisa Marie Rogali
"Sultry mezzo-soprano Lisa Marie Rogali [delivers] a not-to-be-missed, bang-up performance..."
Zach Borichevsky
"Mr. Borichevsky has a high-pitched tenor voice that is beautifully expressive in love and anger."
Sarah Tucker
"Soprano Sarah Tucker sang the role of Micaëla with a sympathetic gentleness. Her lovely rendition of the aria expressing her fear as she ventured into the mountain hideout to make one last attempt to redeem Don José was a highlight."
Adam Turner
"The music was delivered with zest and great beauty by the Virginia Symphony..."
Comments