Live in Spain: Looking Back and What’s Ahead

Last September and October, Asmik Grigorian appeared as Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello at the Teatro Real in Madrid, conducted by Nicola Luisotti and starring Brian Jagde in the title role.

Writing for ÓperaActual, critic David Santana Cañas praised the soprano’s performance: “Asmik Grigorian performed her demanding vocal lines with astonishing naturalness, and her voice emerged without any harshness… creating that gratifying illusion for the audience that the character was truly expressing herself through song. Absolutely thrilling.”

© Javier del Real

During her time in Madrid, Grigorian also appeared in recital at the Teatro Real alongside pianist Lukas Geniušas in a program dedicated to Russian repertoire.

In his review for ÓperaActual, critic José María Marco wrote: “Coinciding with Otello, in which she is undoubtedly the great triumph, soprano Asmik Grigorian … displayed a wide range of nuanced dynamics, pianissimos, and subtle shadings that managed to bring out, without becoming sentimental, all the heartfelt emotion so characteristic of the composer. ‘A Tear Trembles’ was beautiful, with its characteristically romantic theme, and ‘I Bless You, Forests’ was very beautiful, sung with a voice that suddenly acquired an unexpected breadth.”

Grigorian next returns to Spain to appear in Puccini’s Manon Lescaut at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. Performances take place on March 17, March 20, March 26, March 29, and April 1. Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Later in the year, the soprano will also appear in recital with pianist Tommaso Lepore at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago on December 12. Tickets and additional information for the recital can be found here.