Elina Garanca, accompanied by her spouse and conductor, Karel Mark Chichon, made her Dublin first appearance at the National Concert Hall, amidst the National Symphony Orchestra’s International Women’s Day celebrations which notably did not include a single woman’s work. Despite this, the event wonderfully showcased the prolific female singer providing an immensely enjoyable evening.
The selection performed consisted of French, Spanish, and Russian opera pieces, reflecting the dominating language and political scenario at the time of Garanca’s birth in 1976 when Latvia was under Soviet control. Chichon masterfully conducted Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila Overture, managing to overcome previous issues with the NSO’s performance.
Garanca’s vocal quality was described as rich, deep, and brimming with expressiveness. With a refreshing subtlety, she confidently performed Joan’s Aria from Tchaikovsky’s The Maid of Orleans; Plus Grand, dans Son Obscurité from Gounod’s La Reine de Saba; and the more popular Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix from Saint-Saëns’s Samson et Dalila.
However, the highlight of the evening came in the latter half, when a greater offering from Bizet’s Carmen was presented. Rather than playing Carmen as overtly seductive, Garanca instead portrayed her as effortlessly charismatic. Even as she performed theatrically in her striking red attire, the richness and confidence in her voice took centre stage. Such a convincing portrayal of Carmen is seldom seen.
“The audience was immensely pleased, repeatedly rising to their feet for three encore performances of well-liked melodies. Pascual Marquina Narro, Santiago Lope and Manuel Penella skillfully arranged pasodobles to portray the vibrant Spanish essence of Carmen. The orchestra performances were brilliantly executed with a unique blend of vigour and sensitivity.”