Profile reviews
15"de Peppo lives and breathes buffo style, and clearly sets an example for his younger colleagues"
Bass-baritone Stefano de Peppo played Petronio, the foolish father, standing in the way of youth and love. He seems like an expert in handling such roles which are plentiful in opera buffa.
Past Production Reviews
9"de Peppo lives and breathes buffo style, and clearly sets an example for his younger colleagues"
Bass-baritone Stefano de Peppo played Petronio, the foolish father, standing in the way of youth and love. He seems like an expert in handling such roles which are plentiful in opera buffa.
Stefano de Peppo was a humorous and experienced Chico Marx-like Schaunard
Stefano de Peppo who has sung Don Magnifico around the world and across the United States, is known for his large, robust bass-baritone voice. It was fascinating to see him do this role in two different conceptions of the opera, last fall at San Diego Opera and this spring at Arizona Opera. The San Diego company performed a shorter, happier version that cut references to Don Magnifico having supported his household on Angelina’s inheritance. By including that information, Arizona Opera gave good reasons for the Don’s cruelty toward one of his daughters. Best of all, the longer version of the score allowed De Peppo to sing more of his incredibly accurate patter.
Bass-baritone Stefano de Peppo’s portrayal of Don Magnifico (Cinderella’s stepfather) was quite funny. His charisma was just strong enough to pull off the shenanigans, and just dark enough to allow us to enjoy his come-uppance.
Stefano De Peppo returned as the overbearing, possessive and — in his own mind at least — mistreated Don Bartolo. His characterization has both sharpened and deepened since his last appearance in this role, adding many subtleties that are only honed by experience. De Peppo had the luxury of singing in his native Italian, which gave him extra nuance and velocity when needed, especially in the patter sections of his arias.
Stefano de Peppo’s Sergeant Sulpice was delivered with honesty and a golden baritone. Sulpice’s meddling, which helps bring himself, Marie, and Tonio together for a rousing trio during the middle of the final act, was presented masterfully, with de Peppo’s amazing sense of comedy helping him stand his own alongside the two love-birds for whom the story is told.
Italian bass-baritone Stefano de Peppo demonstrated the comic flair and facility for tongue-twisting patter required to perform the role of the charalatan Doctor Dulcamara, the opera’s buffo character.
"De Peppo captures the contrast of Uberto’s gruff complaints and submissive resignation to his servant-mistress first in “Sempre in contrasti,” where he talks a good game of standing up to Serpina’s constant arguments. Supremely confident and sure of voice, De Peppo keeps all eyes on himself with clear gestures highlighting his intent. His deeply resonant bass-baritone voice is as captivating and agile as his movement."
