Maestranza theater Ushers in Belle Époque with New Chamber Music Cycle
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The Teatro de la Maestranza is set to launch its Chamber Alternatives cycle on Wednesday, November 19, with a performance by rising stars Soraya Méncid and manuel Navarro, offering audiences a journey back to the elegance and artistic innovation of the Belle Époque.
The inaugural concert,held in the Sala Manuel García,promises a captivating program that resurrects the works of often-overlooked female composers of the era,including Pauline Viardot,Amy Beach,Lili Boulanger,and Cécile Chaminade. This selection will be complemented by pieces from the French and Italian repertoire featuring composers such as Fauré,Hahn,Ravel,Rossini,Bellini,Donizetti,and Meyerbeer.
A Platform for Emerging Talent
This initiative, a collaboration between the Teatro de la Maestranza and Juventudes Musicales de Sevilla, and supported by the Banco Sabadell Foundation, underscores a commitment to fostering the next generation of chamber musicians. According to a release from the theater, the cycle aims to provide a platform for “young talents with projection,” offering them opportunities to showcase their artistry.
Soprano Soraya Méncid, a Huelva native, has quickly established herself as a formidable presence in the world of classical music. She recently earned first prize at the international New Voices City Competition of Seville 2024, and has already gained experience with the Maestranza Theater Choir and the Sevillian Zarzuela Company. Méncid’s training includes studies in both Seville and Florence, where she honed her bel canto technique at the prestigious Rodolfo Celletti Belcanto Academy.
Pianist Manuel Navarro, a young musician from Seville, brings a wealth of experience as a co-repeater and repertoire teacher to the collaboration. He completed his training at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence and the University of Seville, and has collaborated with renowned conductors and orchestras both nationally and internationally. Notably, Navarro was personally selected by Riccardo Muti to participate as a master co-repeater in the production of Norma at the RMIOA2023 in Milan.
A Diverse Repertoire and Expanding Horizons
Méncid’s versatility extends beyond opera, encompassing zarzuela, early music, and even musical theater, with roles in productions like The phantom of the Opera and Germinal.Her recent performances include tours with Musical Youth of Spain and appearances in Washington D.C. and Hammond, Louisiana, as part of the Spanish young Music Talent’s Program.
Navarro’s career has taken him to concert halls across Spain, France, and Italy, including the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theater Foundation and the Teatro de la Maestranza. He currently serves as a runner master at several prominent theaters, including the Maestranza Theater, the Maggio Fiorentino Theatre, and the Cervantes theater in Malaga.
Tickets for the November 19th performance are available for purchase through the Teatro de la Maestranza’s website. You can find more information about the duo and the Chamber Alternatives cycle on their official channels: Web, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Instagram.
