Conductor José Miguel Pérez-Sierra answers five questions before the concert series at the Royal Opera Festival
José Miguel Pérez-Sierra, conductor and director of Teatro de la Zarzuela, will conduct “The Italian Girl in Algiers” (June 21,23) and “Messa di Gloria” (June 30) by Gioachino Rossini at the 6th edition of the Royal Opera Festival. We talk to him before concert performances at the Philharmonic in Kraków.
Your first encounter with Rossini’s music. What was it like?
I have always liked his music. But it was Maestro Alberto Zedda who opened my eyes to Rossini. Since 2003, I have assisted him in a number of productions, including shows at Teatro Real in Madrid, the Opera in Oviedo and the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro. And it was during this wonderful trip with Zedda that my true love for Rossini was born, culminating with my debut in 2006 when I conducted “The Journey to Reims” in Pesaro.
What are the challenges of working with Rossini’s scores?
In the first place, the stylistic ones. You have to be very aware and well acquainted with the style and taste that permeates the music of this genius. I was lucky to work not only with Maestro Zedda, but also with Gabriele Ferro and Gianluigi Gelmetti. Each of them had their own vision of the repertoire, but they were brought together by a common cultural bond. My experience with these three great Rossini experts helped me find my own vision of his wonderful music.
On a purely technical level, the scores are masterfully written, nevertheless very difficult to perform. For this reason, it is very important to get to know the orchestra you work with well. Only then you can successfully face all the challenges of Rossini’s music.
What are the challenges of working with the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra?
They are one of my favorite orchestras, I have worked with them on Rossini’s repertoire for four years. They play at the Rossini Festival in Wildabad and at the Royal Opera Festival, which we hold together in Krakow. I am fortunate to conduct the orchestra every year during the zarzuela concert in Krakow. Polish musicians perform our Spanish repertoire with incredible passion. It is a fantastic ensemble with exquisite technical skills.
Do you have any favorite titles from the catalogue of Rossini? If so, why are they your favorites?
Definitely “William Tell.” It is also in my top five favorite operas of all time. The title may not seem very Rossini-esque at first glance, but when you delve into the music, you realize it is the most Rossini-esque of all. I also love “The Journey to Reims” for sentimental reasons, as it was the first Rossini’s score I conducted. As regards comic operas, my favorite is “The Italian Girl in Algiers”, and among Rossini’s serious works I like “Armida”, the recording of which has just been released on CD by Naxos. It is the version we performed at the Rossini Festival in Wildbad together with the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra.
Think of someone who has never heard Rossini before. How would you convince them to get acquainted with his compositions and get to like the style of the composer?
I would advise them to get to know Rossini in all his aspects – comic operas, serious operas, even oratorios. If we add “Stabat Mater” to the operas mentioned above, it is impossible not to like Rossini. He is one of the most complete composers in the history of music.