Teatro Grattacielo / Léirmheasanna

“Slack didn’t hold back, giving an object lesson in vocal and acting technique to the audience and the artists watching her. A wonderful example of the same approach came from mezzo-soprano Eugenia Forteza, whose acting ability I have praised before and has only grown stronger since I last reviewed her in 2019. For the gala, Forteza sang “Oh, pallida,” from Mascagni’s “L’Amico Fritz,” during which she thoroughly channeled Beppe, Fritz’s gypsy violinist sidekick. Beppe is a trouser role in the spirit of Cherubino (though with far less stage time), and Forteza brought the energy of the character into the open through her compelling vocal and physical expression. Teatro Grattacielo will be presenting the “L’Amico Fritz” later this fall.”

Soprano Kinneret Ely who sang “Levommi il mio pensier in parte ov’era (My thought raised me to a place),” followed Sequera, with Ely’s reflective presence reinforcing the etherealness of the text.

”[Eugenia] Forteza and soprano Kinneret Ely in their shorter roles also bring an absolutely special sound into the cold surrounding.”

”…the lines voiced with an apt aura of bright-toned innocence by soprano Kinneret Ely…”