(FOUR STARS)
In recent years, the cycle of Great Performers in Colón has served as a framework to present several of the most renowned singers of our time. Now it was the turn of Sonya Yonchevaone of the sopranos most acclaimed of today, with a brilliant career on the main stages of the world.
For this debut in our country, Yoncheva chose a program that included songs and arias by Italian composers. From the first segment of the recital, with a series of Puccini songs, the soprano displayed her powerful vocal resources, which produce greater impact live than on recordings.
She is a singer with a sumptuous voice, with imposing volume, who masters her instrument, especially in changes of dynamics. However, in her chamber songs her interpretive approach was more operatic than intimate, despite the admirable craft and stylistic knowledge of Malcolm Martineau, one of the greatest authorities among accompanying pianists of recent times.
In the second part of the recital, with arias from operas, Yoncheva was in her element. More confident and communicative, she gave heartfelt interpretations of arias from “Le Villi”, “Tosca”, “La bohème” and “Madama Butterfly”, by Puccini, with full display of her voice and artistic solidity, although almost always with an expressiveness. extremely cared for.
Much applauded, the soprano returned to the stage with Martineau several times and gave three off-program pieces: “O mio babbino caro,” a wonderful interpretation of the Habanera from Carmen, and “Adieu, notre petite table,” from Manon, by Massenet.
