Joseph Calleja manages to bring back the real “bel canto” coloring his voice suavely with a magnificent mixed voice. [...] Listening to this voice with a sumptuous timbre, powerful high notes yet never shouted, one can dream of the époque of his predecessors, Gigli, Bergonzi and the young Pavarotti, legends that all made this sublime role theirs."
Bernard Niedda, Concert Classic, 20 May 2007
REVIEWS: LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
8 performances of Donizetti's opera Lucia di Lammermoor. The role was Edgardo.
"THE ACTORS STAND IN THE FOREGROUND"
Mittelbadische PresseMittelbadische Presse
In the role of Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood, we heard the ambitious Joseph Calleja (tenor). His voice has plenty of cutting power and harmonized well with Lee’s soprano. This came to the fore in the great love duet. In “Verrano a te sull’aure” they pledge their loyalty to one another and exchange rings. Calleja’s vocal talent revealed itself in the final aria. His tenor has so much radiance and charm that we fully accept his sorrow over the loss of his beloved Lucia. He sings with plenty of drama and security.
Gunter Thiel, Mittelbadische Presse, 21 May 2007
Concert Classic
Joseph Calleja manages to bring back the real “bel canto” coloring his voice suavely with a magnificent mixed voice. Adding to this he also managed to correct an intensive vibrato that was present in his first two recordings. Listening to this voice with a sumptuous timbre, powerful high notes yet never shouted, one can dream of the époque of his predecessors, Gigli, Bergonzi and the young Pavarotti, legends that all made this sublime role theirs.
Bernard Niedda, Concert Classic, 20 May 2007
Derniers Nouvelles d'Alsace
[...] Joseph Calleja as meanwhile become an international star. Listening to him, as Edgardo, one can admire his sumptuous sweet voice and his elegiac phrasing which combines elegance and power. One can understand why he provoked enthusiasm wherever he goes [ ...]
Christian Fruchart, Derniers Nouvelles d'Alsace, 20 June 2007
Resmusica.com
Tenor Joseph Calleja is an ideal Edgardo: a splendid timbre, powerful, and a very refined interpretation, one doesn’t know which one to laud most [...] he also improved his stage presence as we found his demeanor to be respectful of the piece without utilizing over the top gesticulations but always in perfect character [...]
Nicolas Grienenberger, Resmusica.com
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LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, L'Opéra National du Rhin, Strasbourg:
4,6,9,16,20,24 May; 1,3 June 2007
| Lucia | Tatiana Lisnic (Hye-Youn Lee, 14,18 & 22 May) |
| Edgardo | Joseph Calleja (Leonardo Capalbo, 14,18 & 22 May) |
| Lord Enrico | George Petean
|
| Music director | Giuliano Carella |
| Production | Stein Winge |
Chœurs de l'Opéra national du Rhin /
Michel Capperon
Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse
http://www.opera-national-du-rhin.com