Sara Mingardo at Grand Théâtre de Genève

With her moving performance of Neris in the Grand Théâtre’s last production of Medea, Sara Mingardo reminded Geneva audiences that she is indeed one of the most remarkable contraltos of her generation. The opportunity to hear great voices in this range is becoming so rare that an evening in her company, as well as that of German viola player Diemut Poppen and Portuguese pianist João Paulo Santos, is a most pleasant surprise. Although Ms. Mingardo is known for her skill in the baroque repertory, her recital at the Opéra des Nations will see her performing items from the German Romantic period, such as Brahms’ Zwei Gesänger op. 9, Wagner’s Wesendonck-Lieder and Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder. After opening the last edition of the prestigious Lucerne Festival with Brahms’ Alt-Rhapsodie, the Venetian contralto reveals an unexpected aspect of her talent to music lovers in Geneva.