Bravo Cura, Celebrating the Artistry of José Cura

Taking a break from the Samson et Dalila retrospective to go back to the beginning of José Cura's fabulous career as a tenor In 1993 he starred as Albert Gregor in Leos Janacke's Il caso Makropulos (in an Italian translation). This tale of a woman in pursuit of immortality features a complex score and intense drama--a perfect combination for an ambitious young tenor finding his way in the competitive operatic world. It was a one and done role--Cura never returned to it (fair enough, since it's traditionally performed in Czech) but it did exactly what it should have done: garner great reviews and get opera management talking about this interesting young singer.

And to go with the 1993 performance, we decided to go with a very early editorial photo of Jose. We aren't sure where or when it's from, but we liked it enough to share...

Tickets are now available

https://billetterie.theatreorchestre.toulouse-metropole.fr/selection/event/date?productId=10229193870063

Peter Grimes - Estonia National Opera

Il caso Makropulos - 1993

The first few years in Europe must have seemed like a true test of spirit for the Cura family, with José relentlessly knocking on doors and finding few that would open to welcome him. In June 1991, Cura performed in his first professional gig, an open air concert in Genoa; after that, the calendar remained empty until January 1992--an enormously long time when you are trying to provide for wife and child while also trying to succeed in a career that doesn't seem to want you--when he performed piano reduction highlights from Cavalleria rusticana in Milan. That was followed by the role of Father in Henze's children opera Pollicino in Verona in February and Le Remendado in Carmen in Genoa in April and May. Then another break, until October when Cura stepped on stage in another small role as Capitano dei balestrieri in Simon Boccanegra.

In early 1993 Cura played Mediano in Paola Arca's nearly forgotten opera in two acts, Gattabianca, in Verona before scoring his first significant opera roles: Jan in Bibalo's La signorina Julie, Lt. Nike in Straus' Sogno di un valzer, and Albert Gregor in Janacek's Il caso Markropulos. None of these are first flight operas but for a young tenor just starting out, they provided the platform needed to get name and vocal recognition.

And suddenly the career took off, with increasingly important roles on increasingly more prestigious stages and with increasingly intrusive interest by the press. By 1994, the calendar was filling up rapidly and Cura's career was on it's legendary climb to international greatness.

But 1993 seems to have been a pivotal year, one in which the young singer found a way forward. In our research, we have not found much of substance surrounding La signorina Julie or Sogno di un valzer (stuff may be out there, we just have ferreted it out yet) but we do have material concerning The Makropulos Affair, including what may be the very first cover of an opera magazine to feature José Cura. How exciting is that for a Cura junkie?

Not the best photo but still....is this the very first cover of a magazine to feature José Cura?

Please note: theses are translations from the original documents but consider them approximations, since the source material was somewhat difficult to read. The good news is that José Cura was singled out for significant recognition in one of his earliest roles, and while on stage acting against a true legend of her time, Raina Kabaivanska, in an opera where there is only one true protaganist, the soprano. Obviously, these critics knew they were in the presence of a special singer....

These are machine-based translations. We offer them only a a general guide.

“Next to Kabaivanska, Turin has a number of good singers, notably tenor José Cura.” Opernwelt, February 1994

“Jose Cura brought to the character of Albert Gregor an Italian heroic tenor.” Das Opernglas, Jan/Feb 1994

“… extraordinarily was the performance of José Cura as Gregor. The entire team (including Cura) deserves admiration and gratitude.” Musica Viva, Jan/Feb 1994

“And thanks to an impeccable cast, of which we will remember the Gregor of José Cura…” Il Giornale, 14 December 1993

“Among the many interpreters of note is the tenor José Cura…” Il Sole 12 December 1993

“On the cast, which sang in Italian and where everyone should be cited for the contribution of equals, we will not be silent at least for the name of the tenor José Cura, an effective Gregor ...." Corriere della Sera, 11 December 1993

“José Cura encountered a few vocal problems but nothing that would compromise the perfect overall tightness of the cast.” L’Opera, Jan/Feb 1994

"Although the cast was dominated by Raina Kabaivanska, among the other performers one must recognize tenor José Cura (Gregor)…” Piccolo, 11 December 1993

“The soprano, the only true protagonist of the work, was flanked by a talented company, among whose names it is necessary to single out the tenor José Cura…” Gazzetta di Modena, 11 December 1993

Not good photos, but if you use your imagination.....it's magic.

Legacy

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