Chichon and Garanča have selected a Spanish-flavoured program featuring melodies from Elīnas Garančas new CD Habanera - sarsuelas, fragments from Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Spanish Capriccio” and Bizet’s “Carmen”. Also – opera arias from Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” and Donizetti’s “La favorite”.
The ideal ”Española” comes from Latvia
An embodiment of perfection, otherwise impossible, Garanča is a unique phenomenon in the world of classical music superstars: she combines a extensive and incredibly beautiful voice with sophisticated performance and faultless technique, serving this cocktail with an elegance characteristic only to her intelligent manner.
On the podium of the Latvian National Symphonic Orchestra performed Karel Mark Chichon, the spouse of the singer, who magically created the ideal sound for each apperance and highlighted effectively all finesses/refinements of Garanča’s voice .
It was an outstandingly designed night granted by Elina Garanča to her audience, adding a nice surprise: the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, lead by its Principal Conductor Karel Mark Chichon, was more than just an excellent accompanist; it was also both a wonderful ensemble and soloist, demonstrating superb quality, filling the orchestral pieces with energetic charge. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol earned immediate ‘bravos’ for its fiery musicality.
By Sabine Rahner, The KULTUR Newspaper, 7 March 2011
That’s something only Elīna Garanča can get away with: a Latvian, endowed with the cool ivory charm typical of northerners, sings the fiery Spanish Habanera, and everyone is happy. Last night at Wiener Konzerthaus music had no need for any national connection: a night with the beautiful Garanča and her even more beautiful, big and velvety voice would have been a success regardless of mentality. Bravo to the Diva and the energetically playing Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, passionately conducted by Karel Mark Chichon, for the outstanding first-rate performance of the orchestra soloists and for the fiery temperament!
The Tiroler Tageszeitung Newspaper, 7 March 2011
For its part, last year from 20th of September till 6 of October LNSO was on European tour with chief conductor Karel Mark Chichon and Latvian opera star Elīna Garanča. Concerts concerts were performed in Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Frankfurt. After these concerts outstanding critics appear in representative German newspapers.
Concert at the Tonhalle, Dusseldorf on 23 of September 2010
[...] The merit for the success of the night largely belongs to the conductor Karel Mark Chichon.
With immense energy and enthusiasm, Chichon motivated the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra to create a subtle, nuanced sound and accompanied the singer’s performance with great sensitivity, placing the lyrical, dramatic and temperamental accents with thorough consideration.
As a genuine magician behind the conductor’s stand, Chichon led the excellently tuned orchestra boldly, passionately and with great taste. It is to him and his orchestra that we owe a night spent in the atmosphere of virtuoso performance, musical intelligence and complete commitment. They rendered the extensive programme with expressive dramatic and temperamental intensity.
Admirably, Chichon separated the tempos, always hitting exactly the right mood. He constantly excited the orchestra, thus achieving optimum diversity and full-toned sound. The fast tempo and powerful surges imparted the necessary traditional Spanish sound to the music. The conductor’s love for this music made itself clearly felt. His performance was like an outstanding well-executed pirouette after which you cannot stop cheering: a pure musical pleasure for all your senses. Everything was movement; he was constantly elegant and natural, without becoming heavy for a single moment. With his minimalistic yet extremely exact directions he made this concert an invigorating experience.
[Elīna Garanča] was rewarded with loud rapturous cheers. An outstanding concert. We recommend everyone to see [a performance of] the Habanera Tour.
With immense energy and enthusiasm, Chichon motivated the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra to create a subtle, nuanced sound and accompanied the singer’s performance with great sensitivity, placing the lyrical, dramatic and temperamental accents with thorough consideration.
As a genuine magician behind the conductor’s stand, Chichon led the excellently tuned orchestra boldly, passionately and with great taste. It is to him and his orchestra that we owe a night spent in the atmosphere of virtuoso performance, musical intelligence and complete commitment. They rendered the extensive programme with expressive dramatic and temperamental intensity.
Admirably, Chichon separated the tempos, always hitting exactly the right mood. He constantly excited the orchestra, thus achieving optimum diversity and full-toned sound. The fast tempo and powerful surges imparted the necessary traditional Spanish sound to the music. The conductor’s love for this music made itself clearly felt. His performance was like an outstanding well-executed pirouette after which you cannot stop cheering: a pure musical pleasure for all your senses. Everything was movement; he was constantly elegant and natural, without becoming heavy for a single moment. With his minimalistic yet extremely exact directions he made this concert an invigorating experience.
[Elīna Garanča] was rewarded with loud rapturous cheers. An outstanding concert. We recommend everyone to see [a performance of] the Habanera Tour.
ioco Kultur im Netz, 25.09.2010
[...]Under the baton of Karel Mark Chichon, Garanča’s countrymen from the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra guaranteed a performance of the highest quality. He challenged [the musicians] to fast tempo and full sound. Not a sign of the [usual] tediousness of concert tours. A standing ovation at the conclusion of the night.”
By Norbert Laufer, Rheinische Post, 25.09.2010
Concert at the Philharmonie im Gasteig, Munich on 26 of September 2010
Concert at the Munich Gasteig Philharmonic Hall, 26 September 2010
[...] The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, lead by the also-young Karel Mark Chichon who conducts without the score [in front of him], proved itself to be a good ensemble, giving a top-drawer performance instead of the usual concert tour routine: imparting character and form to the Overture to Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani and fragments from Bizet’s Carmen or Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol.
[...] The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, lead by the also-young Karel Mark Chichon who conducts without the score [in front of him], proved itself to be a good ensemble, giving a top-drawer performance instead of the usual concert tour routine: imparting character and form to the Overture to Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani and fragments from Bizet’s Carmen or Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol.
By Harald Eggebrecht, Suddeutsche Zeitung, 28.09.2010
[...] The cello solo by Diāna Ozoliņa in Montsalvatge’s El Cant dels Ocells could be thanked for a genuinely emotional moment. The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra was lead by Karel Mark Chichon who was visually reminiscent of [Christian] Thielemann, albeit a less manic one. Under Chicon’s baton, the musicians were prepared to embrace the battle and do their utmost. He delivered a sensationally joyful and spectacular version of the Overture to I Vespri Siciliani, and was always outstandingly exact in the rhythmical aspect.
BY Thomas Willmann, Munchner Merkur, 28.09.2010
Elīna Garanča and the fabulous Latvian National Orchestra
[...] Truly surprising, as the Latvian National Orchestra evokes genuine emotions and lets shine the vibrant colours concealed in these [Spanish] canciones and [opera] arias. Despite the ardour, under the sensitive guidance of Karel Mark Chichon it responds to every glance from Garanča. Indeed, this is one of the rare occasions when the intermezzi by an orchestra that is considerate of [a singer’s] voice is almost esteemed higher than the [performance of] the true star of the night.
[...] Truly surprising, as the Latvian National Orchestra evokes genuine emotions and lets shine the vibrant colours concealed in these [Spanish] canciones and [opera] arias. Despite the ardour, under the sensitive guidance of Karel Mark Chichon it responds to every glance from Garanča. Indeed, this is one of the rare occasions when the intermezzi by an orchestra that is considerate of [a singer’s] voice is almost esteemed higher than the [performance of] the true star of the night.
By Christa Sigg, Abendzeitung, 28.09.2010
Concert at the Laeiszhalle, Hamburg on 28 of September 2010
[...] The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Karel Mark Chichon responded with the precision of a millimetre; as a result, a genuinely intoxicating [passion] was achieved in the singing, which made it possible for separate tones to flourish in convincing magnificence.
By Hans-Juergen Fink, Hamburger Abendblatt, 29.09.2010
Additional information:
http://www.elinagaranca.com
http://www.karelmarkchichon.com
http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/html/special/garanca-habanera/index.html
