Delos Diary

About this time every summer, we get hints of what repertoire principal U.S. opera companies are offering come September. When N.Y.'s Metropolitan Opera schedule arrives, it's always fun to see if any of our Delos vocal stars are appearing there during the new season. So, it was gratifying to find three familiar Delos artists prominently mentioned in the casting of several major productions.
Soprano Olga Guryakova sings the leading role of Mariya in the Met's new production of Tchaikovsky's opera "Mazeppa." She is booked for seven performances, including the premiere, during March 2006. Judging from reviews she has already garnered in London for this same role, her appearances should be something to look forward to.
Our other Russian beauty, mezzo-soprano Marina Domashenko, will take on one of her favorite roles, Prince Orlofsky, in J. Strauss's "Die Fledermaus," five times between December 19, 2005 and January 7, 2006. Then she'll doff her male attire for the seductive costume of Saint-Saëns's Dalila in three February 2006 performances of "Samson et Dalila."
On the male side we have Ukrainian baritone Vassily Gerello, who seems to have a special thing for Puccini. Last season he sang the troubled U.S. consul Sharpless in the Met's "Madama Butterfly." This year, in a role much more reflective of his real personality, he will sing the romantic bohemian painter Marcello in Puccini's "La Bohème six times during November 2005… and each time he gets the girl… Musetta.
Coming soon, hopefully before their appearances at the Met, Delos will be bringing out a spectacular new CD featuring both Olga Guryakova and Marina Domashenko in Tchaikovsky solos and duets. Samples I've heard sound wonderful. More later.