Prague Philharmonia with Rolando Villazón in Paris
The Prague Philharmonia appeared alongside the world opera star, Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón, at a concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris on Monday 28 January 2008.
The concert was conducted by the acclaimed Italian conductor Daniele Callegari. The evening's programme included arias from Verdi's Simone Boccanegra and Luisa Miller, Ponchielli's Gioconda, Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur and Boito's Mefistofele. The orchestra also performed the overtures to Nabucco and Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi.
The concert was a huge success with the audience and the critics alike. According to the musicians, the evening had an exciting atmosphere that is more common at rock concerts or football matches. The French daily Le Figaro also wrote about the passionate reactions of the listeners and described the concert as "a triumph brought about with the help of the excellent Prague Philharmonia".
The Prague Philharmonia has already accompanied Mr. Villazón at his two concerts in Prague and during two concert tours of Germany (in 2005 and 2006). A video recording of the first Prague recital has been included on Rolando Villazón's album Viva Villazón's as a bonus DVD.
