Bel Canto is an opera by Peruvian composer Jimmy López. Based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Ann Patchett, the work uses a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz. The libretto is sung in Spanish, English, Japanese, Russian, German, French, Latin, Italian, and Quechua. It was commissioned by the Lyric Opera of Chicago as part of the Renée Fleming initiative.[1] Sir Andrew Davis conducted, and director Kevin Newbury staged the work. The cast included Danielle de Niese as Roxane Coss, J’Nai Bridges as Carmen, Jeongcheol Cha as Hosokawa, and Andrew Stenson as Gen.[2]
The opera underwent several revisions and rewrites as a result of numerous work sessions between composer Jimmy López, librettist Nilo Cruz, director Kevin Newbury, conductor Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming.[3] A workshop took place on July 8–11, 2014 where four out of a total of six scenes were rehearsed with members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.[4] A select group of donors and members of the press were invited to attend the last day of the workshop on July 11, 2014.[5] The creative team (this time with soprano Danielle de Niese, bass-baritone Jeongcheol Cha, and pianist Adam Nielsen) met for a final work session and workshop on December 7–9, 2014 at Opera America's National Opera Center.[6] The tech rehearsals took place on the week of July 20, 2015[7] and the Lyric Opera Chorus began rehearsals in late July under the supervision of chorus master Michael Black.
Bel Canto premiered in Chicago on December 7, 2015, at the Ardis Krainik Theatre of the Civic Opera House, home to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Since its announcement on February 28, 2012[8] Bel Canto garnered increasing attention, and it became one of the most awaited world premieres of the 2015–2016 season. It was performed seven times: December 7, 10 and 12, 2015 and January 5, 8, 13 and 17, 2016.[9] The sixth performance was filmed by PBS for a later airing in 2016.[10][11]
Bel Canto was performed on July 21, 2023, at the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado. Director Kevin Newbury led this production with the Aspen Chamber Symphony and conductor George Manahan. Composer Jimmy López and librettist Nilo Cruz attended the performance at the Benedict Music Tent.
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, December 7, 2015[12] (Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis) |
|---|---|---|
| Roxane Coss | soprano | Danielle de Niese |
| Carmen | mezzo-soprano | J’nai Bridges |
| Katsumi Hosokawa | bass-baritone | Jeongcheol Cha |
| Gen Watanabe | tenor | Andrew Stenson |
| General Alfredo | tenor | Rafael Dávila |
| Joachim Messner | baritone | Jacques Imbrailo |
| Ruben Iglesias | tenor | William Burden |
| César | countertenor | Anthony Roth Costanzo |
| Victor Fyodorov | bass | Rúni Brattaberg |
| Christopf | tenor | John Irvin |
| Simon Thibault | baritone | Anthony Clark Evans |
| Father Arguedas | baritone | Takaoki Onishi |
| General Benjamín | bass | Bradley Smoak |
| Ismael | tenor | Alec Carlson |
| Edith Thibault | mezzo-soprano | Annie Rosen |
| Beatriz | soprano | Diana Newman |
| Chorus of Guests/Hostages SATB divisi 8-8-8-8 | ||
| Chorus of Terrorists SATB divisi 4-4-4-4 plus six solo terrorists (two generals plus four named terrorists) | ||
The work is scored for 3 flutes (2nd and 3rd doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (3rd doubling english horn), 3 clarinets in B-flat (2nd doubling clarinet in E-flat and 3rd doubling bass clarinet), 3 bassoons (3rd doubling contrabassoon), 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in B-flat and C (2nd doubling pututu in E-flat & A-flat and 3rd doubling piccolo trumpet in A), 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, 3 percussion instrument players, piano (on stage), harp, and strings.
Director Kevin Newbury led the following group of designers who were in charge of bringing Bel Canto to the stage: set designer David Korins, costume designer Constance Hoffman, lighting designer Duane Schuler, and projection designer Greg Emetaz.