René Pape is riveting in the Met’s Boris Godunov
Anticipating René Pape’s first Met portrayal of Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov, Zachary Woolfe wrote in the New York Observer that “Boris will cement Mr. Pape’s reputation as one of the great singers of his generation.” It is clear from the positive reaction to this new production of Mussorgsky’s masterpiece that Pape indeed deserves his spot at the top of the opera firmament. Those keen to learn more about the man who wears the Russian crown (in performances that run through October 30 and resume again in March) can see Pape honored by the Metropolitan Opera Guild at New York’s Town Hall on October 27. The second of the Guild’s new “Met Mastersingers” series, whose only previous honoree was Renée Fleming, the event will feature an interview with the German bass and a video profile of his distinguished career to date. Pape will also sing some of his favorite songs with pianist Brian Zeger.
Praise for Pape’s performance in Boris Godunov has come from many sources, with an especially enthusiastic account from the Associated Press’s Mike Silverman:
“Though Boris sings substantially in only three of the 10 scenes, he dominates the opera — especially as embodied by Pape. The German bass is noted for his impressive power and warm, velvety sound, but as Boris, his voice takes on a mournful, sometimes yearning, sometimes anguished quality. His torment is evident from the beginning in the haunted look on his face and his teetering posture, as if he has difficulty standing erect under the weight of his crime. His death, falling to the floor and gasping a final breath, comes almost as a relief.”
Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times offers an evocative description of Pape’s talents:
“With his towering physique and unforced charisma, Mr. Pape looks regal and imposing. Yet with his vacant stare, the haggard intensity in his face, his stringy long hair and his hulking gait, he is already bent over with guilt and doubt. Mr. Pape has vocal charisma as well, and his dark, penetrating voice is ideal for the role. Not knowing Russian, I cannot vouch for the idiomatic quality of his singing. But his enunciation was crisp and natural. And in every language, Mr. Pape makes words matter.”
Other reviewers of the opening night were equally enthralled. James Jorden of the New York Post noted Pape “towering over the huge cast,” and that the “aristocratic German bass found lyricism even in his most agonized outbursts.” Heidi Waleson in the Wall Street Journal commended him for “his richly beautiful voice and searing stage presence,” while the Financial Times’s Martin Bernheimer found him “poignant and splendidly sonorous.”
“Met Mastersingers” at Town Hall
Dresden-native René Pape has been a member of the Berlin State Opera since 1988, but he views New York’s Metropolitan Opera as his operatic home away from home, and has appeared there every season since 1995 in a total of 18 roles and more than 160 performances. The Metropolitan Opera Guild celebrates his important contribution to the company when it honors Pape in the second of its “Met Mastersingers” presentations (the only other person to be so acknowledged was Renée Fleming, last season). At the October 27 event at Town Hall, host Paul Gruber will engage Pape in a lively and in-depth discussion about his life and career so far, and will screen a specially-created video profile. In addition, video excerpts from ten other Pape performances will be shown, including several never seen before in the U.S. The evening will end with a scene from the “Met: Live in HD” performance of Boris Godunov, which will have been broadcast live just four days earlier. Pape will also sing a few of his favorite songs with pianist Brian Zeger.
For tickets to this event, call the Guild at 212-769-7009, or visit the Guild’s web site: www.metguild.org.
*Associated Press
René Pape’s upcoming fall engagements
October 18, 23, 25, 30
New York, NY
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov (title role)
Metropolitan Opera
Valery Gergiev, conductor; Stephen Wadsworth, stage director
October 27
New York, NY
Metropolitan Opera Guild’s “Met Mastersingers”
The Town Hall
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© 21C Media Group, October 2010