By Gianmarco Segato, Adult Programs Manager

Introduction

The two major names in French 19th-century opera were Giacomo Meyerbeer and Jules Massenet. Although Charles Gounod and Camille Saint-Saens made wider contributions to French music as a whole during this period (symphonies, chamber music, sacred choral works, etc.), their theatrical output was relatively small compared to the huge number of operatic successes Meyerbeer and Massenet had throughout their long careers. However, despite the popularity of these works during their lifetimes, they suffered a subsequent neglect which, in Massenet’s case, was especially true of his later operas including Don Quichotte (1910). However, changing tastes and reconsidered opinions have resulted in a new-found appreciation and popularity for Massenet’s treatment of Miguel de Cervantes’ epic 1605 novel Don Quixote. Its exploration of universal themes of age versus youth; fulfillment versus regret, and self-deception versus reality, lend it an eternal relevance and appeal.

What he's doing with us: Italian Ferruccio Furlanetto, one of the world's most famous basses, makes his COC debut in the title role of our spring production of Massenet's Don Quichotte.

Where you might have seen him: A starring artist at the Metropolitan Opera for over 30 years, Ferruccio Furlanetto may be most recognizable for his performance as Philip II in the Met's 2010 production of Don Carlos, which was broadcast on Met Live in HD. But he has dozens of recordings and DVDs under his belt, and opera aficionados may be most familiar with recordings of his performances with the Royal Opera House and the Vienna State Opera.

His background: Ferruccio started at the top and never looked back. His professional debut was in 1974, and by 1979 he was on stage at La Scala in Verdi's Macbeth, and made his debuts at the Glyndebourne Festival and the Metropolitan Opera the next year. While he's performed at all the major opera houses worldwide, his North American appearances have primarily been at the San Diego Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, so Toronto audiences are in for a treat this spring when he makes his first Canadian appearance!