The “Festival Bel canto” will be patronaged by Italian soprano Renata Scotto, herself one of the famous names in the field of Bel canto. Under her auspices, audiences will be treated to renditions of a concert version of Vincenzo Bellini’s opera “Norma” and a string of recitals: Jennifer Larmore has been confirmed to make an appearance with her longterm Pianistic companion Antoine Palloc on the opening night and June Anderson will meet a cast of young singers from the Accademia under the direction of Kent Nagano. The bill will be completed by Sumi Jo and June Anderson as well as by Gino Vannelli presenting excerpts from his genre-defying album “Canto” (which presented him in the mood for Jazz, Chanson and Pop).

All of them have been described as “heirs to the great tradition” of bel canto by the organisors of the festival, who go on to mention that “the origins of bel canto are virtually indivisible from those of opera in Italy” in general. Thanks to Kent Nagano’s incessant activities as well as the positive outlook of the “Festival Bel Canto”, a whole new generation of fans may follow: “We wish to provide a wider public with the possibility of discovering and enjoying this form of vocal art. And this is one more way of innovating and enriching our educational mission.”

Homepage: Festival Bel Canto
Homepage: Kent Nagano