Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Marco Vratogna profiled: Next Great Verdi Baritone

Marco Vratogna
We've been touting Marco Vratogna as one of the next great Verdi baritones for some time now. He's in San Francisco performing the title role in Verdi's "Rigoletto" right now and local writer Sean Martinfield penned this wonderful and insightful profile of the singer for the Huffington Post, which we just had to share.
San Francisco Opera opened its 2012-13 season this month with Verdi's Rigoletto. Conducted by Music Director Nicola Luisotti, the final performances on Tuesday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Sept. 30 will feature Marco Vratogna in the title role, Albina Shagimuratova as Gilda, and Arturo Chacón-Cruz as the Duke of Mantua. In his third appearance with SF Opera, Italian baritone Marco Vratogna marks his debut as "Rigoletto," a role he began crafting years ago with Maestro Luisotti prior to either of them arriving in San Francisco. Still in his thirties, a lion-hearted Leo, Vratogna is that rare breed of natural dramatic baritone who owns the vocal prowess and seductive appeal of the alpha male so predominant in the Verdi repertoire.

"Maybe it's a side of me," he said during our recent visit. "I didn't choose anything. Maybe Verdi chose me." [Article continued HERE]

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