Sound Mind - A Classical Music Blog

Ileana Montalbetti as Elettra in Canadian Opera Company performance of Mozart's Idomeneo.

(Photo Michael Cooper)

Last night, members of the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio -- an apprenticeship program for promising young singers and accompanists -- took over the non-chorus cast of the current production of Mozart's Idomeneo.

An announcement over the PA system said that last night was the result of 7 weeks of intensive work. It's labour that paid off, because everything on stage appeared to work as smoothly and seamlessly as with the professional cast on opening night two weeks ago.

In reality, the Ensemble Studio singers were already heavily involved in the production. Last night, several of them merely exchanged their roles for something more significant. If there were more than one performance with the Ensemble cast, I would have recommended it as highly as the original.

Although everyone's singing was fine, there were two particular stars on the stage last night: soprano Ileana Montalbetti, as Elettra, and tenor Michael Colvin, who traded his role of Arbace in the regular run for a chance to sing the title character.

Montalbetti is ready for a great career. Period. Her voice rings, her breath support is flawless, she can turn an elegant phrase and she has dramatic ability.

via Star Blog

:: note :: ... been her dream since three years old ... make it real Ily ...