Cecilia Bartoli finds a last-minute replacement for Anna Netrebko in Salzburg
Cleopatra is the theme of Cecilia Bartoli‘s first season as Artistic Director of the Salzburg Whitsun Festival, but one of her Cleopatras has fallen ill. Anna Netrebko, who was due to sing the première of “Cleopatra and the Serpent” by Rodion Shchedrin, as part of the concert “Cleopatra orientale” on 28 May is sick, and will be replaced by soprano Mojca Erdmann.
When Anna called me, consolation was called for, but also immediate replacement casting. My young colleague Mojca Erdmann is learning the piece in 2 days, ready for the world première.
said Bartoli.
It will not be Erdmann’s first appearance in Salzburg. In 2007 a critic wrote,
The surprise of the evening, however, was Mojca Erdmann. …young, slim, blond, sporty, she was Mozart’s “Zaide” last year here in Salzburg. Now she sings “Zelmira”, a strong personality, a beautiful, warm, technically perfect voice that is highly expressive. She deservedly received the greatest applause.
The day after Erdmann is scheduled to give a solo recital with works by Schubert and Strauss at the Musikverein in Vienna.
Photo: Mojca Erdmann
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
