Russian diva in NZ for significant opera role

Russian diva in NZ for significant opera role

Elvira Fatykhova – she’s young, beautiful and dynamic; and her strong and pure singing voice and impressive acting ability are winning her accolades around the world.

On Saturday 23 June Ms Fatykhova joins an esteemed cast to open The NBR New Zealand Opera’s NZI Winter Season of Lucia di Lammermoor.

In the role of Lucia, Elvira Fatykhova takes on one of the most challenging roles in the soprano repertoire, initially made famous by Maria Callas in the middle of last century, then more recently by Dame Joan Sutherland. Now the role is reserved for only the most experienced of sopranos who have reached an advanced point in their careers.

Ms Fatykhova says, “The role of Lucia is a very difficult one to sing and to act. When I perform it I don’t play or act, I always try to live the part. My voice is just the instrument of my expression. Lucia is an unusual girl from the beginning of the opera – she’s a tender and defenceless person, just like a flower. I try to understand her and to live her life during the performance. It’s not always easy though because I have a very different character, but it’s part of our job and actually it makes our profession very interesting and challenging.”

Elvira Fatykhova first won the praise of New Zealand audiences and critics performing in The NBR New Zealand Opera’s 2005 production of La Traviata. Rod Biss wrote in the NZ Listener at the time: “Elvira Fatykhova’s Violetta was vocally thrilling and dramatically affecting; her ‘Ah, fors’è lui’ and ‘Sempre libera’ as near perfect as I’ve ever heard.”

General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera, Aidan Lang, is equally complimentary about Ms Fatykhova and what she is capable of. “There are very few sopranos who have both the singing and acting ability to successfully perform the role of Lucia. While the role is a great showcase for a soprano, it’s technically demanding and requires stamina and acting prowess, and the renowned Mad Scene is a significant emotional test for the singer.”

In this new production of Lucia di Lammermoor, Director Lindy Hume is avoiding the clichés of past productions and is creating a fresh and vibrant interpretation that a contemporary theatre-going audience will identify with, taking the story straight to them and inviting them to come on a journey to somewhere different and fascinating, through the experience of opera.

Having just completed a very successful season of Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera Queensland – of which ABC Brisbane said: “She leaves the audience quite literally almost breathless” – Elvira Fatykhova is excited to be part of this new production and the challenges it will bring to her and her fellow cast members: Bulgarian tenor Yvan Momirov (Edgardo), Welsh baritone Jason Howard (Enrico), and New Zealanders Jud Arthur (Raimondo), Benjamin Fifita Makisi (Arturo), Carmel Carroll (Alisa) and Derek Hill (Normanno). “I love everything about this opera,” she says, “the music, the story… and when I see and feel the audience’s response it makes me very happy.”

The NZI Winter Season of Lucia di Lammermoor opens in Wellington on Saturday 23 June and in Auckland on Thursday 12 July.

NZI Winter Season of Lucia di Lammermoor

Wellington – Westpac St James Theatre

Sat 23 June, Thu 28 June and Sat 30 June (7:30pm); Tue 26 June (6:00pm)

Auckland – Aotea Centre, THE EDGE®

Thu 12 July, Sat 14 July, Thu 19 July and Sat 21 July (7:30pm); Tue 17 July (1:00pm)

Single Tickets: $49.50 to $159.50; Concessions available. Service fees apply.

Bookings: Ticketek outlets nationwide, Tel 0800 TICKETEK (0800 842 538) or http://www.ticketek.co.nz. Bookings also at The NBR NZ Opera Box Office: Tel (09) 379 4068 or Tel (04) 499 8343.

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