A Successful Opera Gala with Alagna and Tézier in Paris
The BNO in the press
On September 23, the Belgian National Orchestra traveled to the prestigious Philharmonie de Paris to perform some of opera’s most beautiful arias alongside Roberto Alagna and Ludovic Tézier. A look back at this concert featuring two of France’s greatest voices.
"The two partners had the good fortune of being accompanied by the Belgian National Orchestra, conducted by Giorgio Croci. The conductor did not limit his orchestra to the role of a backing ensemble solely meant to showcase the soloists. Displaying the quality of its strings (notably in the prelude to Act III of La Traviata) and the richness of all sections, with the overture from Les Vêpres siciliennes, an excerpt from Aida, and the prelude to Act III of Lohengrin, the orchestra left no doubt about its ability to engage professionally in the grand Verdi and Wagner repertoire."
- Paul Fourier, Cult.News, 09/24/2024
"The two star singers are fully supported by the Belgian National Orchestra under the baton of Giorgio Croci, a longtime collaborator who also conducted the gala celebrating Roberto Alagna’s 30-year career at the Chorégies d'Orange in 2016. While some instrumental passages could have further developed their narrative sense and the strings are occasionally overpowered by the brass in their powerful moments, the pianissimo sections appear all the more pleasant and delicate. Controlled, harmonious energy rises toward airy, subtly balanced passages."
- Emmanuel Deroeux, Ôlyrix, 09/24/2024