News & Press
Role debuts as Méphistophélès and Alvise Badoero
News: Jun 04 2018
This June, Nicolas Testé alternates between two role debuts, both at the Deutsche Oper Berlin: Alvise Badoero in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda and Méphistophélès in Gounod’s Faust.
On June 28, he makes his debut as Alvise, singing alongside Hui He in the title role, Judit Kutasi as La Cieca and Daniela Barcellona as Laura. Pinchas Steinberg conducts the performances on June 28, and July 1, 4 and 7.
For the performances of Faust, on July 3 and 6, he is joined on stage by Bryan Hymel as Faust, Nicole Car as Marguerite, Etienne Dupuis as Valentin and Jana Kurucová as Siebel. Jacques Lacombe leads the orchestra.
Reviews for Maria Stuarda in Berlin
News & Press: May 30 2018
Bass-baritone Nicolas Testé (Damrau’s real-life husband) brought a grounded, fatherly aura and vocal urgency to the Earl of Shrewsbury
“Die Glanzleistungen dieser beiden Hauptfiguren in Hinblick auf darstellerische Kraft ohne Kostüm und in Hinblick auf sängerische Schönheit werden ergänzt von den auf höchstem Niveau singenden Vertreter der Nebenrollen: Durchschlagskräftig und doch tonfarblich flexibel singen Nicolas Testé in der Rolle des Maria ergebenen Georg Talbot”
VERDIssimo tour: Critical Acclaim
News & Press: May 19 2018 | RP Online (Viersen)
Die Zuhörer waren restlos begeistert, Bravorufe mischten sich zunehmend in den brausenden Applaus. Selbiges wurde im Anschluss daran zu Recht auch Nicolas Testé zuteil, der - getragen vom glutvollen Solo des großartigen ersten Cellisten des Orchesters - die Arie des Philipp aus "Don Carlo" faszinierend gestaltete. Den Abschluss bildete ein Duett aus der frühen Verdi-Oper "Luisa Miller" (nach Schillers "Kabale und Liebe"), in der das Sänger-Ehepaar erneut zeigte, wie gut es in jeder Weise harmoniert.
“Le baryton-basse débute le récital avec Fiesco et Simon Boccanegra, “A te l’estremo addio” (Pour la dernière fois adieu). La gestuelle convient au personnage fou de chagrin puis repentant. Jusqu’à la dernière phrase (“Prega per me”, Prie pour moi) sur laquelle les graves les plus profonds sont tenus, la diction est excellente, l’ambitus large et la projection solide.
En Ferrando, “Di due figli vivea padre beato” (Le bon comte Luna vivait heureux avec deux fils) du Trouvère, il narre avec légèreté ou gravité selon les passages l’histoire de la sorcière et outrepasse la difficulté rythmique de l’air. Pour Macbeth, c’est l’air “Studia il passo, o mio figlio” (Ralentis le pas, mon fils) de Banco qui est choisi. Les vibratos adoucissent presque la « terreur » et les « ténèbres » du texte. Caverneux quand il le faut, puissant et passionné lorsqu’il exprime le désespoir régalien, il est un Philippe II convaincant sur l’air “Ella giammai m’amò” (Elle ne m’a jamais aimé) de Don Carlo.”
VERDIssimo tour and Maria Stuarda in Berlin
News: May 10 2018
Nicolas Testé and Diana Damrau depart on a “VERDIssimo” tour on May 17 and 19, to be continued on June 4, 7 and 10, after two concert version performances of Maria Stuarda at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on May 28 and 31.
Maria Stuarda reviews
News & Press: Apr 17 2018 | Bachtrack
A compassionate duet with George Talbot (the superb Nicolas Testé)...
“…the bass-baritone managed to imbue his role with a quiet authority that made Talbot a center of stillness who commanded attention. His beautifully produced voice helped to make the “confession” scene with Damrau the undoubted highlight of the evening. This was Donizetti and the singers at their combined best, the overall impact unutterably moving.”
Opera News
Role debut as Giorgio Talbot
News: Mar 26 2018
This April, Nicolas Testé makes his debut as Giorgio Talbot in Donizetti’s opera Maria Stuarda. Diana Damrau stars as the Scottish Queen, Serena Farnocchia embodies her rival Elisabetta and Pavol Breslik sings Roberto, Earl of Leicester. Enrique Mazzola is on the podium.
Maria Stuarda opens April 8, with ten additional performances through May 12.
For more information about this production and to purchase tickets, visit the website of the Opernhaus Zürich.