Ph. Máximo Parpagnoli – Prensa Teatro Colón
A new production of “Il Turco in Italia” by Gioachino Rossini, with musical direction by Jordi Bernàcer and stage direction by Pablo Maritano, premieres at the Teatro Colón on September 5th. In a conversation with Argentine tenor Santiago Ballerini, who will portray the role of Narcissus, we explore the details of this work.
Returning home
Twenty days ago, Santiago Ballerini returned to Argentina and reunited with his family, including his artistic family at the Teatro Colón. His arrival follows a 2022/2023 season that took him to stages across Europe, the United States, and South America, assuming various roles. The role of Narcissus in “Il Turco in Italia” will mark his third consecutive premiere this season, making it his 40th role in his career.
Comedy, a serious job
Ballerini shares his perspective on the challenge posed by this opera, stating: “There are many people who prefer drama because they believe it deserves more work… I have news: doing an opera like Il Turco in Italia is really very complex. Not only is it more difficult in terms of drama, but also technically. All the coloratura work, those ‘little notes’ that need to be produced at an aerial and muscular level, take an enormous amount of time and work with the voice.”
The production of this opera stands out not only for its exceptional music and voices but also for its stage design. Ballerini shares: “People who come to see ‘Il Turco in Italia’ will be surprised by the stage design. I can only reveal that they set up a complete hotel on the rotating disk of the Colón stage. Imagine that! With a kitchen, reception, and even a park with a swimming pool. The characters encounter each other in all these places. It’s truly amazing, very much in the style of Rossini.”
There are many people who prefer drama because they believe it requires more work... I have news: making an opera like Il Turco in Italia is really very complex.
The great Narcissus
The character of Narcissus, precisely a pathological narcissist, offers Ballerini the opportunity to explore his acting versatility. “Narcissus is a role that allows me to play a lot and propose. They put a gold watch on me, a gold chain, and the guy with that takes over the world. He even takes out a mirror from his handkerchief to look at himself and adjust. He’s a complete show-off, but at the same time, he has something that makes him likable and very funny. Narcissus gives me the opportunity to be someone completely different from who I am. I think I’m empathetic in my everyday life, so playing him allows me to play the opposite of my essence. And that’s what acting is all about, isn’t it?” he comments enthusiastically.
Liberating
Laughter also plays an important role in this opera, as Santiago points out: “Laughter is liberating. Chemically, laughter generates changes in the body that are great, like an increase in serotonin. Even when you’re laughing, the central nervous system relaxes. So hopefully, people will come, enjoy, and also release a little.”
“Il Turco in Italia” is a masterpiece by Rossini that, through its music and comedy, invites us to reflect on the relationship between the unknown and the familiar. This production is part of “Divina Italia,” a special collaboration between the Teatro Colón, the Embassy of Italy in Buenos Aires, and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Buenos Aires, celebrating the richness of Italian musical art.
Hopefully people will come, enjoy themselves and also free themselves a little
About Il Turco in Italia at the Teatro Colón
Il Turco in Italia, by Rossini, returns to the Lyric Season with a new production at the Teatro Colón.
The performances of this opera are part of Divina Italia, a collaboration between the Teatro Colón with the Embassy of Italy in Buenos Aires and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Buenos Aires focused on exploring the legacy of Italian musical art.
Starting on Tuesday, September 5th at 8:00 p.m., Il Turco in Italia arrives in a new production at the Teatro Colón, 23 years after its last performance at the first coliseum. One of Rossini’s great scores, with musical direction by Jordi Bernàcer and stage direction by Pablo Maritano.
There will be six performances on Tuesday, September 5th, Wednesday, September 6th, Thursday, September 7th, Saturday, September 9th, and Tuesday, September 12th at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 10th at 5:00 p.m.
A Turkish merchant as exotic as he is naive is the target of the machinations of a clever and beautiful Neapolitan in this opera, which in essence, speaks of nothing other than the Other. With music that is among the most original written by Rossini, starting with its almost avant-garde overture, in this new version, Il Turco in Italia will also show laughter and amorous entanglements as the backdrop of a city rotting in the sun.
Divina Italia is a fruitful collaboration between the Teatro Colón, the Embassy of Italy in Buenos Aires, whose ambassador is Fabrizio Lucentini, and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Buenos Aires, whose acting director is Giuliana Gentile.
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online through www.teatrocolon.org.ar.
Also, in person at the Teatro Colón box office (Tucumán 1171) from Monday to Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
