Domingo creates the magical illusion that Alfano wrote the role especially
for him: Domingo de Bergerac" (review of the premiere in the Madrid daily
ABC). Plácido Domingo's triumph in Valencia's stunningly futuristic
theater El Palau de les Arts in February 2007 echoes the overwhelmingly
positive reception he obtained at the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal
Opera House Covent Garden in this role. A coproduction of the New York,
London and Valencia houses, Franco Alfano's little-known 1936 opera
"Cyrano de Bergerac" has been reawakened to life by the great Spanish
tenor. Although Alfano (1875-1954) enjoyed a long and prolific career as
an opera composer, he is known today above all for having completed
Puccini's "Turandot". His earlier works not surprisingly reflect Puccini's
verismo style, but his later works - including "Cyrano de Bergerac" - are
clearly inspired by Debussy, Ravel and Strauss. Opulent scoring and
colorful orchestral effects elegantly underscore the tragic story based on
Rostand's famous drama of 1897, which achieved international celebrity in
the Oscar-nominated 1990 film adaptation with Gérard Depardieu. Alfano's
work faithfully relates the story of the large-nosed soldier poet who
pines for the beautiful Roxane and writes her glowing love letters in the
name of his fellow soldier Christian, who also loves her. At an age when
most singers start contemplating retirement, Domingo unearthed this opera,
which was premiered in Rome in 1936, and added the role of Cyrano to his
repertoire - as the 121st of his career! Domingo had long been looking for
a new role that was both a vocal and dramatic challenge. He was
particularly delighted by the role's "anti-hero" quality. "It's a
late in my career." With his charismatic stage presence, Domingo clearly
dominates the production, directed by Michal Znaniecki and conducted by
Patrick Fournillier, one of France's leading conductors. Nevertheless, his
pairing with American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky could hardly be more
felicitous, as she brings a full, dramatic voice that rises effortlessly
above the work's luxuriant orchestration. The many supporting roles are
equally well cast and accompanied by the expressively playing Orquestra de
la Comunitat Valenciana and the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana.
