Anna Netrebko: 'Souvenirs' focusses on Operetta, extends friendship

October 23rd 2008, by Tobias |

Russian Soprano Anna Netrebko is only half a month away from releasing her fourth solo album “Souvenirs”. After various integral Opera productions and DVD projects, “Souvenirs” will mark the return to smaller formats, consciously representing her most lightweight record to date. Focussing on Operetta, whistleable melodies and airy harmonies, Netrebko will be highlighting pieces by Edvard Grieg, Emmerich Kálmán, Jacques Offenbach and French composer André Messager. The first single release off “Souvenirs”, meanwhile, combines Franz Lehár’s irresistible “Meine Lippen, die küssen so heiss” with Richard Strauss’ “Wiegenlied” and is already available from mail orders and as a download. While the popular appeal of the album may not come as a big surprise to most, the line-up of “Souvenirs” just might: Emmanuel Villaume is conducting the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, while Elina Garanca, who has misleadingly been described as one of the most noteworthy rivals of Anna Netrebko, will guest as a duet partner on Offenbach’s “Barcarole”.

In German magazine “Klassik Akzente”, Anna Netrebko made it clear right away, that extending the invitation to Garanca seemed only logical to her: “We both have a similar approach to singing and our timbres are very much alike. On the ‘Barcarole’, especially, our voices meet in such harmony and balance that listeners might even find it hard knowing one from the other. Working with her was was easy, because of the spirit of collegiality between us – and because of our friendship.”

Another important element in the creation of “Souvenirs” was the inclusion of Emmanuel Villaume: “He has this incredible way of making me use even more energy in every single piece”, Anna Netrebko enthused, “I love that! I love to be motivated and challenged. To me, it is simply incredible how he virtually seduced Elina Garanca and me to sing the ‘Barcarole’ with such expressiveness. Or with so much ‘passionate tremors’, as he called it.” “Souvenirs” will be released on November 7th and feature a bonus disc of three video clips and a picture gallery.

In other news, Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon will take over movie theatres in Europe this winter, as their long awaited movie “La Boheme”, directed by Robert Dornhelm, has just opened in Austria.

Homepage: Anna Netrebko
Homepage: Deutsche Grammophon