Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Nmon Ford about to get his head served on a platter

Nmon Ford
It looks like Nmon Ford will be able to show off his amazing body next month when he debuts the role of Jochanaan (John the Baptist) in Richard Strauss’ Salome at the Opéra National de Bordeaux.
The new production by Dominic Pitoiset will be the first fully opera staged in the Palais des Sports (Auditorium de Bordeaux). The opera was impossible to present in the Grand Théâtre because of the size of the orchestra pit. 

This production reunites Nmon with the celebrated French soprano Mireille Delunsch, who is singing Salome for the first time, and with whom he performed in Hamburg Opera’s new production of Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride. This will also be Ford's debut with the company.  

“Jochanaan is one of those roles that can surely be counted among the ‘Dream List’ of characters for a baritone,” explained Nmon during a recent interview.  “First of all, it’s beautifully written.  So many dramatic baritone roles don’t offer solid opportunities to show the beauty and colors of a voice, but Jochanaan isn’t like that.  The vocal writing is powerful yet lovely, and it allows the voice to demonstrate fully those two qualities as well.  Second, Strauss’ sense of dramatic timing is as well developed as Puccini’s, or Verdi’s, or Mozart’s.  Not a single note is wasted, and Jochanaan gets one of the best stage entrances in opera, on par with Scarpia’s or Dutchman’s.  Seriously, what more could one want?”

Performances are March 21, 24, 27 and 29 and tickets are available online.

Ryan McKinny
If France is too far to travel, barihunk Ryan McKinny will be reprising his sexy Jochanaan at West Palm Beach Opera on March 15, 16 and 17 with Erika Sunnegardh as Salome and the riveting Denyce Graves-Montgomery as Herodias. Tickets are available online.

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