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Outstanding musical direction by Guillermo García Calvo in La traviata in Las Palmas
May 28th, 2025 |
Following the premiere of La traviata in Las Palmas, the press has highlighted Guillermo García Calvo’s work as musical director, praising his insightful interpretation and his rapport with the orchestra.
Ópera Actual emphasized his effective use of textures and the perfect balance between pit and stage: “As for the musical direction, facing a score that is sober, expressive, and always at the service of the drama—with a contained yet colorful orchestra--Guillermo García Calvo managed to temper the Gran Canaria Philharmonic while showcasing the transparent textures that enhance the characters’ emotions. Particularly noteworthy was the ethereal and sorrowful texture, with pianissimo strings, that foreshadows Violetta’s tragic fate.”
For its part, Pro Ópera speaks of intensity and emotion, calling García Calvo’s work outstanding: “The dynamic and expressive musical direction by Madrid-born Guillermo García Calvo can only be described as outstanding, always managing the tempi demanded by Verdi’s score and achieving increasing cohesion with the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra performance after performance. He delivered memorable moments such as the ‘Amami Alfredo’ passage—full of intensity and emotion—and the final scene of Act II, where he expertly guided the Festival Opera Chorus and the orchestra to highlight the soloists’ voices, never overpowered by the orchestral volume we’ve become used to with other conductors.
In addition to his dynamic and nuanced conducting, García Calvo stood out as an excellent accompanist. The overture and the death prelude at the beginning of the last act, where the string section shone, were remarkable. We witnessed the dedication and emotional involvement in Verdi’s drama of a conductor who had recently suffered the loss of his mother due to illness.”
Finally, the Italian outlet La rubrica dell'impiccione viaggiatore highlighted his masterful control of the baton:
“Incisive was the reading by Maestro Guillermo García Calvo, who held the reins firmly, steering a stage that was brilliant, youthful, and vigorous.”
Ópera Actual emphasized his effective use of textures and the perfect balance between pit and stage: “As for the musical direction, facing a score that is sober, expressive, and always at the service of the drama—with a contained yet colorful orchestra--Guillermo García Calvo managed to temper the Gran Canaria Philharmonic while showcasing the transparent textures that enhance the characters’ emotions. Particularly noteworthy was the ethereal and sorrowful texture, with pianissimo strings, that foreshadows Violetta’s tragic fate.”
For its part, Pro Ópera speaks of intensity and emotion, calling García Calvo’s work outstanding: “The dynamic and expressive musical direction by Madrid-born Guillermo García Calvo can only be described as outstanding, always managing the tempi demanded by Verdi’s score and achieving increasing cohesion with the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra performance after performance. He delivered memorable moments such as the ‘Amami Alfredo’ passage—full of intensity and emotion—and the final scene of Act II, where he expertly guided the Festival Opera Chorus and the orchestra to highlight the soloists’ voices, never overpowered by the orchestral volume we’ve become used to with other conductors.
In addition to his dynamic and nuanced conducting, García Calvo stood out as an excellent accompanist. The overture and the death prelude at the beginning of the last act, where the string section shone, were remarkable. We witnessed the dedication and emotional involvement in Verdi’s drama of a conductor who had recently suffered the loss of his mother due to illness.”
Finally, the Italian outlet La rubrica dell'impiccione viaggiatore highlighted his masterful control of the baton:
“Incisive was the reading by Maestro Guillermo García Calvo, who held the reins firmly, steering a stage that was brilliant, youthful, and vigorous.”
© Andrej Grilc