January 27, February 3, 4, 2024
La Rondine
November 17, 19, 22, 26, 2023
Il Turco in Italia
September 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 2023
Role debut in Rossini’s ‘Il turco in Italia’ at Teatro Colón
Santiago Ballerini begins the 2023/24 season with his debut as Don Narciso in Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Teatro Colón. Marking his 40th role debut, Ballerini stars in this beloved work, appreciated for its humor, catchy melodies, and satirical take on the foibles of human relationships and cultural differences. Rossini’s mastery of comic opera shines in this delightful work.
Performance dates include September 5, 7, 10 & 12. Pablo Maritano conducts a top-notch roster of singers, including Erwin Schrott as Selim, Irina Lungu as Fiorilla, Fabio Capitanucci as Geronio, Germán Alcántara as Prosdocimo, Francesca di Sauro as Zaida, and Santiago Martínez as Albazar.
Poliuto at Teatro Nuovo
“Tenor Santiago Ballerini sang the title role. His light yet sonorous voice lent itself well to Bel Canto singing, and he is one of the era’s top interpreters. He had excellent agility as he moved through the fioritura and had no issues sending his voice over the orchestra. Most impressive was his use of dynamics and head voice. He went from full-throated fortes to the gentlest pianissimos with utmost surety. Lehmann gave plenty of room for each singer to take their time, and Ballerini certainly did so without seeming overdramatic. Lehmann’s colla voce approach toned down the band or extended pauses. This allowed Ballerini to show off what was a mystifying head voice of such gentle persuasion of the dramatic significance of the passage that left little doubt about what he was expressing. Likewise, the more intense sections where the tone and shading of the lines were an emotional barometer.”
“The well-coached principal singers brought legato elegance and dramatic intensity to their roles. Tenor Santiago Ballerini was a splendid Poliuto, stylishly balancing his furious outbursts with his intimations of the divine, especially in his Act 2 aria.”
“Santiago Ballerini’s lyric tenor has the thrust and brilliance to express Poliuto’s quicksilver emotional turns – heroism, romantic ardor, all-consuming jealousy, compassion and religious fervor – with both artistry and passion. Ballerini was equally compelling dramatically with a stoic, commanding presence that befitted both a Roman soldier and a Christian martyr.”
Seen and Heard Internationally
“Ballerini had no difficulties with the exacting title role and his tone is naturally brilliant, warm and Italianate. He was very much the star of the evening. Ballerini’s broad breath span, intensely focused tone and brilliant overtones filled out the music beautifully and vividly delineated Poliuto’s conflict between marital jealousy and Christian devotion.
In the protagonist’s second act scena, Ballerini effectively enacted Poliuto’s emotional conflict by alternating between a sweet mezza voce and darker declamatory phrasing. Lehnea and Ballerini brought the Act III final duet to moving life with brilliant singing and sensitive and deeply committed interpretations.”
“All ears were on the star tenor, Poliuto, here sung by Santiago Ballerini… his youthful, full, large-lyric sound filled the hall. A hero after all, his second-act aria, a grand display of strength (a serious precursor of Verdi’s grand tenor roles) which was performed uncut, was capped by the type of high Cs that people recall for months. His last-act duet with Paolina rocked the house.”
Classics Today
“I wished the tenor had more to do before the second of three acts (when Ballerini blew the roof off)…”
Broadway World
Title role debut in Donizetti’s ‘Poliuto’ with Teatro Nuovo
On July 15 & 19, Santiago Ballerini makes his greatly anticipated title role debut in Donizetti’s Poliuto with Teatro Nuovo. Marking his eighth Donizetti role – Mr. Ballerini has sung the prolific composer’s music the most throughout his career. Poliuto is based on the tragedy “Polyeucte” by French playwright Pierre Corneille and features a libretto by Salvadore Cammarano. The opera is notable for its dramatic storyline and beautiful music.
Jakob Lehmann conducts the Teatro Nuovo Orchestra and Chorus and a top-notch cast, including Chelsea Lehnea as Paolina, Ricardo José Rivera as Severo, Hans Tashjian as Callistene, Krishna Raman as Felice, Robert Kleinertz as Nearco, James Danner as A Christian, and Louise Floyd as Another Christian.
Lucia di Lammermoor in Cincinnati
Photo: Philip Groshong
“In his company debut as Edgardo, Argentine tenor Santiago Ballerini displayed an ardent voice and a charismatic stage presence. His passion was believable. Who could resist his proposal, when he dropped to a knee, took out a ring and threw the box over his shoulder?
The couple’s Act I duet was magical. When Edgardo learned of Lucia’s death, his desperation was palpable in his final farewell, sung against a blood-red moon, “Tu che a Dio spiegasti l’ali” (“You have spread your wings to heaven.”)”
“Tenor Santiago Ballerini as Edgardo gave a performance that possessed the qualities of a future superstar on the opera world, with clarion-like power akin to Juan Diego Florez and the relaxed sensuality of Luciano Pavarotti.”
Classical Concert Reviews