Critics praise the “definitive” version of ‘Jen?fa’ at Les Arts
25.01.2023
Les Arts és Òpera
- Gustavo Gimeno and the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana receive the highest praise for their first foray into Leoš Janáček's opera
- The Valencian maestro and the resident ensemble of Les Arts present works by Mozart and Brahms with Javier Perianes in Valencia and Castelló de la Plana
Valencia (25.01.23). Specialized critics have praised the "reference" version of the production of 'Jen?fa' that Les Arts is currently programming in the Main Hall, until next January 29.
The first foray of theater into Janáček's repertoire has been met with descriptions of "triumphant night", "magical evening", "relentless success" from the specialized press, which has dedicated its highest praise to the work of Gustavo Gimeno with the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (OCV), which "offered one of the best performances in its history".
Both the Valencian maestro and the resident company of Les Arts, who were making their debut with the work, signed, according to experts, a version "on par with the best disco recordings" and "that sets a benchmark in the Spanish and contemporary lyrical universes."
Similarly, the vocal cast and especially the two protagonists, Corinne Winters in the role of Jenůfa and Petra Lang as her stepmother, Kostelniůka, have been deserving of widespread praise for their performances.
The American soprano, “a great singer and actress”, “perfect in both drama and vocals” and the German mezzo-soprano, “overwhelming” and “with a high-voltage expressive force”, shared the loudest ovations from the audience with Gustavo Gimeno and the OCV.
Gimeno will conclude his presence at Les Arts this January with the first symphonic event of the year, on Thursday, January 26, at the Auditori and on Saturday, January 28, in Castelló de la Plana.
The principal conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra proposes a romantic repertoire, which includes, in addition to Johannes Brahms' 'Tragic Overture', his 'First Symphony', an essential work and still unpublished in the OCV catalog, which, in addition to expanding the musical horizons of the ensemble, will allow the audience to enjoy its sonic excellence.
The program also includes Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20, with Javier Perianes as soloist in a new collaboration with the resident ensemble of Les Arts. Established as one of the great names in the keyboard, the Huelva native performs one of the signature works of his career, with which he has visited major concert halls and auditoriums worldwide.
Gustavo Gimeno, Javier Perianes and the OCV will offer one of the most anticipated events of 'Les Arts és Simfònic' after their "stratospheric" Beethoven's 'Fourth Concerto', with which they sold out the Auditori in 2020 and which critics placed "in the annals of sound memory".
