Belcore, a sergeant who woos the beautiful Adina in the melodramma giocoso create Donizetti for his opera L’elisir d’amore, will be interpreted by the voices of Albert Bonifazio and James Ochoa, artists of the seventh edition of Opera (e)Studio, which will be staged from 24 to 27 October in the Auditorium of Tenerife.
Alberto Bonifazio is an Italian artist of twenty-six years trained as a pianist and singer at the Conservatory Niccolò Paganini of Genoa and as a soloist in the Centre of Perfeccionament Plácido Domingo in Valencia. Although is their first time on the island, it does have references of Ópera de Tenerife. “I knew some of the productions of the past seasons” and, more specifically, the program Opera (e)Studio through participants in the other editions, and that drove him to be. “I did not hesitate even a moment when I saw that the hearing was for L’elisir d’amore”.
The colombian James Ochoa, twenty-four years, studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, he made his debut at Opera de Tenerife and, like Alberto Bonifazio, I already knew the Opera (e)Studio through friends who had participated in previous editions and had been recommended.
Both singers are making their debut in Tenerife, but do not make it in the title in which they will participate. To Bonifazio, “it is an incredible and very fun to sing” and Ochoa recalls that the first time he participated in L’elisir d’amore was in Medellín, his hometown, and he is amazed about “the resemblance of the characters he created Donizetti with the current season”. For the colombian, “the comedy is definitely the protagonist, along to the melodies created by the composer for certain times of the work”.
Bonifazio and Ochoa have a clear idea of the future in the professional field. The Italian wants to “keep singing for many years in full health, to be able to travel for the world”, while the colombian -which resides in the Uk – aims to “continue building my career always under the values that I believe to be essential; I would like to continue singing in Spain and the other countries of Europe”. In addition, it shows “a great respect and love for Verdi, and I’d love to get to sing some of his operas”.
Bonifazio comes to Tenerife after participating in the past month of July in Valencia, in the production of Don Giovanni, while in the latter the presence of Ochoa on stage was in Bogotá with The barber of Seville. After these performances, were incorporated into the new edition of Opera (e)Studio at the beginning of September. Since then, along with eight other partners, have initiated a process of formation of refinement and artistic integral. This training, directed by Giulio Zappa, is distributed in different master classes with professionals of the first international level and continues with the usual trials of an opera production, the stage at which you are currently located. The program will culminate with the representation of L’elisir d’amore from 24 to 27 October. In the four functions provided, Alberto Bonifazio will take over the Thursday and Saturday the role of Belcore, while Jacob Eight will be the Friday and Sunday.
L’elisir d’amore is the beginning of the season 2019-2020 with the musical direction of Antonio Méndez, principal conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Tenerife. This new production of the Opera de Tenerife, which is performed together with the Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre, is sponsored by the European Commission within the Creative Europe programme, and assumed the debut in Europe as the stage director Pablo Maritano, who takes us back to the golden age of film in Hollywood. All topped with the scenery of Serene Rocco, the costume of Lorena Marin and the light design of Virginio Levrio.