Apr 5, 2010

L’ELISIR D’AMORE (Nemorino)

(Lyric Opera of Chicago)

“Lyric scored a valuable addition to its enviable roster of lyric tenors with the company debut of Giuseppe Filianoti as Nemorino, one of his signature roles. The Calabrian singer’s timbre is bright and slightly reedy, with an open-throated approach above the staff that leads incisiveness to the tone, yet he boasts an elegance born of keen dynamic control. ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ was very intelligently shaped, and he had the whole boyishly-bumbling thing down pat. Filianoti was rewarded with a huge ovation at the final calls.”

Mark Thomas Ketterson, Opera News, April 2010

“This was Filianoti’s debut with Lyric Opera and he did not disappoint… his Nemorino shows genuine bel canto essence, delicacy and precision on the high notes, a legato supported by long breath, brilliant and expressive coloratura and great emission in the pianissimi. The beautiful color of the voice remains intact even in the upper register and the transition throughout the passaggio in imperceptible and smooth. His interpretation of the character is likeable, as Filianoti purposedly removes all the comical excess and brings to the role the appropriate ‘pathetic’ sentiment suggested by the score and the action. Technique and pathos melt together in the famous ‘Una furtiva lagrima’, rendered with skillful virtuosity and almost suspended in the air between incredulousness and hope.”

Marta Tonegutti, l’opera, March 2010

“Making his Lyric Opera debut, Italian tenor Giuseppe Filianoti was a perfect Nemorino. His rich lyric tenor voice filled the opera house, and his performance of the genuine hit of the opera, ‘Una furtiva lagrima,’ was sheer perfection and it drew one of the longest ovations in recent memory. As an actor, Mr. Filianoti brought a keen sense of comic timing to the role, and he made Nemorino completely believable. His performance was absolutely flawless, and here’s hoping that he returns to Lyric Opera again and again.”

R. Todd Shuman, Operaonline.us, January 23, 2010

“This has been a rich season for tenor debuts at the Lyric, and Giuseppe Filianoti’s is the finest yet. The Italian singer possesses a middle-weight lyric instrument, eminently well suited to the role of the lovelorn bumpkin, Nemorino. Filianoti’s flexibility, ease of production, golden tone and effortless top notes were sensational, as with his honeyed, yearning ‘Quanto e bella’ and ‘Adina, credemi’. For once, ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ really was the big moment Donizetti intended—Filianoti’s caressing line, refined emotion, and sensitively nuanced dynamics and phrasing earned him a vociferous ovation that nearly stopped the show.

The tenor was also an inspired comic actor. Filianoti avoided the usual wide-eyed peasant tropes for a more self-aware and resourceful hero with several hilarious moments, including his joyous little dance around the magical elixir (actually, Bordeaux).”

Lawrence Johnson, The Chicago Classical Review, January 24, 2010

“Even before this Act II climax, Filianoti had won over the audience with his highly pleasing, characterful voice and his genuinely comic and heartfelt acting. When it came time for him to prove himself, he practically stopped the show with one of the longest spontaneous ovations for a Lyric debut in many years. It was not only that he nailed his notes, it was that he did so as his character: We saw a young man who has gained confidence in himself and, whether he has done so through magic or a simple bottle of good Bordeaux, we were all happy to cheer both part and singer.”

Andrew Patner, The Chicago Sun Times, January 25, 2010

“[Filianoti] cut a handsome, immensely likeable figure even as he spun cantabile lines of pure liquid gold. The famed tenor romanza, ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ — in which our bumpkin-hero discovers, to his astonishment, that Adina also adores him — he delivered with a sweet, robust sound and elegant phrasing, to genuinely touching effect. The aria drew a long and thunderous ovation.”

John von Rhein, The Chicago Tribune, January 25, 2010

“Giuseppe Filianoti sings and acts Nemorino wonderfully. [He] easily wins the heart of the audience with his kindness, his innocence and his rich tenor voice. From his comic chops to his sweetness and ultimately to his angst, Filianoti emotes such emotional truth in his unforgettable aria ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ that the audience gave him a cheering standing ovation.”

Tom Williams, Chicagocritic.com, January 27, 2010

“In his first appearance at the Lyric, Giuseppe Filianoti almost stopped the show… The silky voiced, handsome Italian tenor not only touched everyone’s heart when he sang, but he also had some wonderful comic moments in a compelling portrayal of a young man desperately in love… On opening night, when he sang the famous aria ‘Una furtiva lagrima’, the audience went wild, giving Filianoti the loudest and most prolonged ovation I have ever heard at the Lyric.”

Betty Mohr, The Southtown Star, January, 28, 2010