Neumarkt, nobody there?

Hi everyone!

Anybody was at Neumarkt's concert? Any review, please!!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Sorry, I wasn't there neither, but this is what I found....

Großer Applaus: Jaroussky im Neumarkter Reitstadel
Leuchtend bis in den höchsten Lagen - vor 3 Stunden

Neumarkt - In der sowieso hochkarätigen Veranstaltungsreihe der Neumarkter Konzertfreunde war dieser Freitagabend das Tüpfelchen auf dem i: Philippe Jaroussky, den man ohne zu übertreiben, den zurzeit besten Countertenor der Welt nennen kann, und die in jungen Jahren schon gefeierte Sopranistin Julia Lezhneva sangen Meisterwerke des italienischen Barock.

Allen voran Pergolesis „Stabat Mater“, jene ergreifende Klage über den Schmerz der Gottesmutter unter dem Kreuz, in der der mit nur 26 Jahren an Schwindsucht sterbende Komponist all sein eigenes Leid hat einfließen lassen. Wie kunstvoll er das getan hat, zwischen Lyrik, Aufbegehren und Resignation! Wunderbar, wie Jaroussky und Lezhneva im Duett „Fac, ut ardeat cor meum“ in ein wildes Espressivo ausbrechen, oder zuvor in „Quis est homo“ zehrenden Zweifel im Beinahe-Versiegen ihres Gesangs ausdrücken.
Gesteigerte Vokal-Kunst

In den Soloarien dieses Werks wie im zuvor gesungenen g-Moll Salve Regina von Händel (HWV 241) ließ Lezhneva ihre glasklaren Höhen glitzern, bezauberte sie mit wie schwebend wirkender Verzierungstechnik und inniger Emotionalität.

So konnte sie geradezu mühelos neben Jarousskys faszinierender Vokal-Kunst bestehen, in der sich perfekte Technik und ein auch in höchsten Lagen farbig leuchtender und stets geschmeidiger Ausdruck auf das Beste vereinen. Das gilt nicht nur für seine Arien im „Stabat mater“, sondern auch für die zuvor interpretierte Vivaldi-Motette „Longa mala umbrae terrores“, in der Jaroussky sich aus der Klage heraus zu einem trotzigen Optimismus steigert.

Dazu lieferte das bei diesem Konzert mit zwölf Musikern auftretende Spezialistenensemble „I Barocchisti“ die passende instrumentale Grundlage: rhythmisch versiert, griffig vor allem in den tiefen Klängen, von virtuoser Eleganz in den Streichern – und von dem Schweizer Dirigenten Diego Fasolis stets ganz nah am Atem von Jaroussky und Lezhneva gehalten. Und auch im einzigen Werk dieses Abends ohne Gesang, Händels G-Dur Konzert für Streicher und basso continuo (HWV 399), schlugen sich „I Barocchisti“ klangprächtig.

So war es nur zu verständlich, dass bei diesem Sonderkonzert im ausverkauften Festsaal des Neumarkter Reitstadels sich auch noch viel Publikum drängte, das mit Stehplätzen vorliebnehmen musste. Nach dem Konzert, beim Applaudieren und Jubeln, standen dann eh fast alle.

Die Begeisterung ist verständlich: Eine solche barocke Konzertperle schmückt nicht nur Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, sondern – die Publikumszusammensetzung bewies es - strahlt in die gesamte Metropolregion aus.

Source: Nürnberger Zeitung 25.3.

Thank you, Duffy, I'm happy happy for Felipe.

And sorry for me because I was not there with him.

The little girl has been taking terrible crap about her dresses, but she has a voice on her! Something special in her timbre I do not hear with others.

And her figure and little round face is very much suited for her corsetstyle dresses. She could have just stepped out of a Victorian book of paper dolls to put paper clothes on. (we all had a book like that, remember?)

That sounds great! I'm happy for both of them!

I didnt't see her dresses, poor thing! I always think that if you are going to be in public you'd better get some advise first.

I found another review:

Keine empfängliche Seele blieb davon unberührt
Unvergessliche Momente mit Julia Lezhneva und Philippe Jaroussky

Von Michael David, MZ

Neumarkt. Mit Spannung wartete das Publikum im ausverkauften Festsaal des Historischen Reitstadels auf ein außergewöhnliches Orchester und auf vielversprechende, mit zahlreichen Preisen ausgezeichneten Solisten. Das Ensemble I Barocchisti unter der Leitung von Diego Fasolis – er zählt heute zu den aufregendsten Dirigenten sowie führenden Spezialisten im Bereich Barockmusik und Mozart – eröffnete das Sonderkonzert der Neumarkter Konzertfreunde mit dem „Concerto für Streicher und basso continuo G-Dur HWV 399 op. 5 Nr. 4 von Georg Friedrich Händel. Als organische Einheit präsentieren sich die Musiker des Ensembles, das mit Streicher, Cembalo, Orgel und Theorbe besetzt war. Jeder einzelne Satz bestach durch spielerisch leichte Interpretation, Virtuosität und akkurates Spiel. Das so entstandene transparente Klangbild ließ die kompositorischen Strukturen klar und eindeutig erkennen.

Der Auftritt der jungen russischen Sopranistin Julia Lezhneva wird wahrscheinlich für viele Konzertbesucher ein unvergessliches Erlebnis bleiben. Gesegnet mit einer faszinierenden Stimme zog sie vom ersten Ton an ihr Publikum in den Bann. Ihr brillanter Vortrag von Händels „Salve Regina g-Moll HWV 241“ umfasste die umfangreichen Register ihres gesanglichen Könnens und baute eine ungeheure Spannung auf, die sich erst im frenetischen Beifall des Publikums entlud. Wie eine schillernde, mit faszinierenden Farben versehene Seifenblase, natürlich in der richtigen Konsistenz, schwebte ihre Stimme durch den Reitstadel und berührte jede dafür empfängliche Seele.

In manchen Medien wird er als „der beste Countertenor der Gegenwart bezeichnet“. Mühelos entfaltete sich die Stimme von Philippe Jaroussky, wie bei Antonio Vivaldis „Longe mala, umbrae terrores RV 629“, in den Sphären hoher Sopranlagen und bewältigte virtuoseste Koloraturen nuancenreich und mit schwebender Leichtigkeit. Ein mittelalterliches Gedicht, das die Gottesmutter in ihrem Schmerz um den Gekreuzigten besingt, das „Stabat Mater“ von Giovanni Battista Pergolesi bildete den glanzvollen Abschluss eines besonderen Konzerterlebnisses.

Als sich ergänzendes Paar präsentierten sich Julia Lezhneva und Philippe Jaroussky in den jeweiligen Duetten. Das Lied „Quis est homo, qui non floret“ entwickelt eine solche leidenschaftliche Dramaturgie, dass durch die ansatzweise im kanonähnlichen Singen entstandenen wunderschönen Klangfarben dazu führten, dass ein emotionaler Schauer dem anderen folgte. Der Dank des begeisterten Publikums spiegelte sich in einem leidenschaftlichen, lang anhaltenden, nach einer Zugabe fordernden Applaus. Und die gab es auch. Das erste Duett von „Stabat Mater“: „Stabat mater dolorosa“.

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Encore was "Quando Corpus".

Well, I was there, and one or two very nice people from the forum I knew respectively got to know! ... I guess we are all too overwhelmed for writing immediately.
The concert began with the Handel concerto. The acoustics of the Reitstadel is excellent, very warm and soft, but also very precise. I am sure one would have heard any error at every seat, even those in the back, had there been any.
Then the "Salve Regina" followed. Julia Lezhneva was wearing a very beautiful, elegant dark green gown with shoulder straps. When she began to sing, it was ... unbelievable. She has such a powerful voice, especially in the high register, one has to hear it to believe it. Her tone is really beautiful, neither sharp nor weak, but really nice, her execution good, especially if one considers how incredibly young she still is. If she works continuously on improving her singing, she will probably be outstanding indeed. Personally, I like a lighter use of the higher register better for baroque and think she is better suited for a slightly later repertoire, but that is a question of taste. What was also astonishing was how powerful her lower chest voice is – I was really impressed. And so was the audience.
Then PhJ, in a white shirt this time (while the orchestra well all-black), sang the motet "Longe Mala". When he started singing, I was again fascinated by how incomparably precise his intonation and coloratura are, and how strong his voice is, even in direct comparison to a "singing bird soprano" like Lezhneva. The second part especially is very long, and I wished it would never end, it was so beautiful! PhJ´s performance of the motet was very touching, and of course the applause according.
Then the break.
After the break, the "Stabat Mater" followed. The two singers harmonized well, as mentioned, it was impressive how PhJ sang as powerfully as this strong female soprano. One time a phrase was sung in a ringing soprano like a clear bell, and I could hardly believe it when the Lezhneva echoed it, sounding exactly the same - that had been PhJ, but one could hardly differentiate! Fasolis´work also was enlightening. He has a strong hand when working with the orchestra, but wonderful sensibility for the music and the balance. And his tempi were the most fitting I have ever heard for "Stabat Mater", they brought out the meaning of the music perfectly. For example, the "Quae moerebat" was just absolutely right in its tempo. The "Stabat Mater" moved everyone deeply - of course it was nice that there was no applause in between, so one could truly follow the emotion without being interrupted. The different parts were sung in sufficiently contrasting style and tone to make it fascinating, hypnotising and deeply moving. So, yes, the applause was very warm, although everyone was rather in a trance then a real waking state after this! and the musicians were kind enough to repeat the "Quando corpus" as an encore.
All in all, an unforgettable concert, and it is just marvellous that this "Stabat mater" will be on CD soon!
There was no signing session afterwards, as it was not a "Jaroussky concert", but instead, PhJ, after taking a few minutes at the exit for his enchanted fans, carrying a number of hastily given presents, disappeared towards his well deserved dinner with the other musicians, I think.

Dear Astarto!

Whata great review! Thank you so much for taking your time in writing it. I'm delighted to hear that Philippe's voice blended so well with Lezhneva's one, I'm looking forward to have this CD!

Thanks for telling the concert, Astarto is a privilege to witness firsthand.
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This comment has no interest, but there's a picture!
I knew Julia Lezhneva few years ago, oddly enough, considering how young he is. He recorded the Mass in B minor of Bach with Marc Minkowski (2008)and he considered a prodigy.
She sings very well, but I agree with Astarto, I do not really like using his sharp, extraordinary and very clear, in the Baroque.
Philippe is always impossible to put into words

Thank you so very much, Astarto!! Us deprived fans really appreciate your words. I can just imagine those beautiful soprano voices soaring in such a manner......A big hug for your excellent review!!!
Maria

Thank you for your kind reactions, everyone!

Yes, I will be forever grateful that I was able to hear that concert, and extremely grateful to the one who got me a ticket under very difficult circumstances!

By the way, I am surprised again and again by fans who give a Frenchman who will next travel by airplane a bottle of wine, and a mediocre wine at that! A bottle of wine weighs one kilogram...

And now I will be deprived - travelling to Salzburg, Metz etc. are much too expensive for me!

Astarto,

Thank you very much for such a lovely and detailed review. You write it and describe it so nicely that I could almost feel it like if I was there... such a pity I was not!

I was there – and I was not alone, I know of three other ladies from the forum, who have been there, too!!!
And from two of them I know, that they definitely have an immense knowledge of classical music (which I definetely don’t have!) but for some reasons they didn’t comment until now...
So I thought it’s up to me to give you some impressions without that background, but meanwhile I saw this excellent review of Astarto and what else should I add????
Well, so I just say WOWW!!! (to both, the concert and the review!!!) and add only a few sentences:
I Barocchisti: a very spirited Diego Fasolis, conducting full of verve, phrasing the lyrics for example of “Stabat mater” by himself simultaneous with the singers (of course just soundless) and a perfecty playing orchestra.
Julia Lezhneva: I didn’t know her before, just saw some videos on youtube, which didn’t convince me very much, but in the concert I was really touched by her voice, which sounded to me very clear and rich of timbre. And I liked the happy smile that appeared on her face a few times after her soli!
Philippe: what could be said about his performance... everything like usual – brilliant, empathetic singing and very touching and mesmerizing, whether in his soli or together with Julia Lezhneva.

Yes, it was a beautiful concert, I enjoyed it very much, and like usual I forgot to tell Philippe after the concert....too much overwhelmed, too much confused!!!
And like for Astarto – the only problem is the long period without a PhJ-concert....

Mea culpa, Astarto!!!I have in the past given PJ a bottle of the very best Chilean wine, and I thought....T"this is a French guy who was born in Masons-Lafitte"" but I felt terrible about the weight too.....so I will never do it again. My gifts have to so with my country since he knows I come from Chile, but I do worry about weight, the same with books...Ah me!!!At least scarves are light!!!!

Tuffy,

Although Maisons-Laffitte boasts a château, it's not a wine-producing one (being in the Yvelines not far from Paris). It's much more famous for its racecourse which I think is very appropriate given that our "tesoro" is such a thoroughbred!

Re pressies: I too would give him the world (and the moon attached!) were it within my gift but as I can never think of anything suitably exquisite, small and really "à propos", I'm afraid I've given up on the idea!

Astarto,

Great review! It makes me really feel (and wish) that I had been there. Unfortunately, I don't have the time and money to attend ALL his concerts, much as I would like to (and I do go to a lot of other concerts as well).

A.

Astarto,
did they take their discrete security measurements? I'd die to see a man built like a tank escorting poor Philippe, he would disappear beside such a guy.

I´ve been there, too- sorry, guys, I was standing on the balcony and Jana knew this " big secret", but I prefer to enjoy for myself and I hope, none of you missed me either.

The acoustics there were sublime - so round like a cupola and I was just owerwhelmed by the sound of these both voices. The more- I was absolutely excited by the nice person of M-me Julia Lezhneva, who is 22 years young now and has all the capacity to be a star of tomorrow. Her voice is amazingly fresh and strong, I guess, she should be very careful to keep these qualities for her brilliant future. She is truly gifted and trying now to explore all the facets of her exceptional talent.

I very liked the version of " Longe mala" by Maestro Fasolis- it was stormy vivaldian feeling there, under his big (!) hands on the harpsichord, enormously expressive and passionate. I believe, Philippe liked this kind of expression, too. )))

"Stabat Mater" was another great gift to us- the voices of Julia and Philippe suit miraculous together , especially at the piano parts - it was unearthly beautiful and expressive as well. I´m still deeply impressed by this new duo: the very young star and our sunshine together.

Let us swoon, people!

Thank you evryone for your great reviews, it's a pleasure to read them, it's like being there...

I found this new review:

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Artaserse,

you wrote

" I believe, Philippe liked this kind of expression, too. )))"


Yesss, you are right! Philippe told me "I Barocchisti - they are just great!!!!"

And I fully agreed with him!

I like Diego Fasolis' way of conducting very much. He also will be the conductor of Concerto Köln for "Artaserse" the forthcoming winter, I think!

Astarto

Quote :

By the way, I am surprised again and again by fans who give a Frenchman who will next travel by airplane a bottle of wine, and a mediocre wine at that! A bottle of wine weighs one kilogram...

How right you are!!!!

(....and it was quite a nice surprise to meet you there, too! )

Artaserse

I owe you all one review, too - I´d do it as soon as possible! We´ve vacation now....



Pilarddcc

Well, I see - some " reviewer" also can´t write correctly the name of Maestro Fasolis ...." Fagioli" is another countertenor, Franco Fagioli, who sing with Philippe ( and Mr. Fasolis ) in " Artaserse".

JANA: I didn't notice it! It's funny! However enjoy your vacation and we'll wait for your review!!

To all the fans, who already gave a bottle of wine, or any other gift: Even if P doesn't manage to move it in his suitcase before check-in, or if it is mediocre wine or if he leaves it in the theatre anyway, I am sure he appreciates the gestures behind the gifts.
And from one who ought to know I learned that the security rules aren't taken so serious by airlines when they are carrying a "vedette" like PJ. I saw many strange gifts, stones, self recorded CD's ( no demo tapes I hope :-) ) I even saw bunches of red roses, which are, in Germany I have to admit, a no-go unless you'd give them to your lover, embarrassing. But after all gifts are a matter of taste and expressions of his fans' affection.

Duffy: I'm sure he always appreciates his fans' gifts, it must me a pleasure to feel so loved!

Duffy

I never saw some flowers ( red roses incl.) from the fans at his concerts- neither in Germany nor in Paris or somewhere else...now, I´m curious where have you seen any ?

I saw them in Hamburg, in Amsterdam one of the last years and also in Meldorf. Well,
some use to exaggerate it, I think!

Duffy

Hm....my roses in Meldorf were kind of pink- orange, not red at all!

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But this is an really good idea - I´ll do it the next time I´m going to see him. A lot of red roses, anyhow, is an emblem of truly admiration in Russia.

"emblem of truly admiration in Russia".

That's very interesting, I thought the language of flowers was universal. In Spain red roses are a symbol of love, not the motherly one!

For example I read in an interview that Philippe loves orchids, I would never dare to send anyone than my lover a flower like that, orchid is a very powerful sexual symbol, at least in Mediterranean countries.

Pilarddcc

Yes, I guess, it´s very different from country to country... the white asters in Russia, for example, are symbol of grief and condolement, the white roses- for youth and innocence.... orchids are by far too flamboyant and rare for Russia, so we hadn´t any meaning for them.

Jana: That's good to know, just in case I have to give some flowers to a Russian! In Spain, chrysanthemums are the flowers for grief, but asters are quiete a common flowers very happy I think!

Saw someone giving him some green orchids in Brussels - she must have read the same article as Pilar ...

A.

yes, exactly Philippe said green orchids!! You know, someone who takes more attention than me!

Chacun à son goût, I hope he is familiar with Russian conventions. As we see, it takes knowledge in many fields to be an international star, poor guy. In France red roses mean passionate love, and are considered as an expression of bad manners when given by someone else.

I always figured the language of flowers to be quite universal. With the red rose and the orchids being very passionate flowers, for lovers. The only man I ever gave a red rose to was my boyfriend, now husband. And he got me an orchid. Very romantic and passionate flowers.

White roses and lilies are for the Virgin Mary, so very suited for (catholic) weddings where the specific blessing of Mary is asked by giving her your wedding bouquet...we do not throw them around for the next bride to catch!

There is one for funerals, another kind of white lily, the Aaronskelk, in Dutch, that has come to be so associated with death that nobody will get them if there is no funeral and even for funerals it is considered too morbid. Ruined flowers, those are.

The Poppy is for the Veterans of World War One. On 11 november many Britains still wear one on ther lapel.

The gladiola is for triumphant athletes when they return home with their medals, like the Roman soldiers after a war. (That is how old these symbols are!)

I don't know any more.

Carolineleiden,

Less well known than the WWI red poppy is the white version (worn by pacifists).


A.

Pilarddcc wrote:

That sounds great! I'm happy for both of them!

I didnt't see her dresses, poor thing! I always think that if you are going to be in public you'd better get some advise first.

Oh, they're lovely dresses, really one of a kind, she is the only one who wears that style, and it suits her figure and facial qualities very well. It is her signature dress.

No, the crap centered on the fact that she wears them more than once...(riiight, like, so what?)

But she should take care of herself, because she has a tendency to become as big as Jessye Norman one day, and by that I mean in more than one aspect....and that is not being mean, but a warning, because type II-diabetes is not a good thing to contract. Best not give that little girl chocolates as a present. Diamonds and pearls will probably be received just as grateful.

Um, I´m sorry if I hurt anyone´s feeling with the wine bottle comment. I am sure PhJ always appreciates our good intention, but if he travels with luggage for three or four weeks, and normally has to carry the luggage around every second day, the idea that in addition he has to haul around heavy gifts, just makes me empathise more with him than with us.

Well, I for one found Miss Lezhneva´s dress in Neumarkt very pretty and appropriate. ActuallyI don´t find it necessary to comment very much about an artists appearance. Frankly, I don´t care at all how an artist looks if she can sing like this. The only factor I mind is when the figure obviously compresses the voice, which happens with some singers.

A good wine is something that does not take kindly to being hauled around, with temperature and pressure changes and being shaken. I mean, not something you would want to do to a Didier Dagueneau creation...or to a Petrus or a Cheval Blanc.. Not just for the artists sake, but for the presents sake as well: do not give somebody wine that is not supposed to be drunk the same evening if they are travelling!

But surely one can bring him a nice Moulin a Vent or a Couvent des Jacobins or a Rosji-Bass when he performs in Paris.

Edit: typo

Another review of the concert, nice and informed, but not faultless. So, no panic, please: In contrast to the old rumour this reviewer has gotten hold of, anyone who knows anything about PhJ´s schedule in 2013, 2014 and following (and I do) can tell that he will not at all reduce his activity as a singer. Unless it will be to try not to do more than 10 concert within 21 days, which sounds sort of rational... . (It gets on my nerves how these days all journalists use stuff from the internet as their "sources", and then claim that to be facts.)

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