WNO Celebrity Series: Diana Damrau

Charles T. Downey, Coloratura Diana Damrau charms in Washington National Opera debut despite illness
Washington Post, April 10, 2013

Nuit d'étoiles (music by Debussy), X. de Maistre (harp) with D. Damrau (2009)

Diana Damrau, one of the finest coloraturas of her generation, finally came to Washington National Opera on Monday night. It was not exactly the debut one might have hoped for, not on the main stage and not in her typical repertory. Still, in a recital of largely ethereal German and French songs, the German soprano showed herself a gifted storyteller, set against the evanescent backdrop of arrangements for harp played by Xavier de Maistre. Many hearts leaped into many throats when she announced that she was sick, but she put on a brave face and persevered.

Damrau was to have made her company debut as Ophélie in the 2010 production of Ambroise Thomas’s “Hamlet,” part of the reconfiguration of that season after the financial crisis forced the company to postpone its “Ring” cycle. She was unable to travel to Washington when she became pregnant with her first child that year, but a performance was announced featuring Damrau in the Celebrity Concert Series for this season. [Continue reading]

Diana Damrau (soprano) and Xavier de Maistre (harp)
"Liederabend Harfe"
Washington National Opera, Celebrity Series
Music by Schubert, Tárrega, Strauss, Hahn, Chausson, Fauré, Duparc, Dell'Acqua
Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater

PREVIOUSLY:
Nathan Gunn (2012)
Angela Gheorghiu (2012)
Bryn Terfel (2011)
Juan Diego Flórez (2011, inaugural Celebrity Series concert)