On February 21 & 23, Kristine Opolais sings the title role of Puccini’s Suor Angelica in concert with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Andris Nelsons. Part of Puccini’s triple bill Il trittico, Ms. Opolais recently sang the role for her first time at the Metropolitan Opera in December. Her performances received critical acclaim, wowing audiences with her “chillingly real” (New York Times) interpretation.

Joining her onstage is mezzo soprano Violeta Urmana as the Princess, and the Lorelei Ensemble. Beginning the concert is Lili Boulanger’s short tone poem D’un Soir triste, one of few purely orchestral works completed by this prodigy before her untimely death in 1918 at age 24. Also on the program is Debussy’s immensely colorful Nocturnes, an 1899 masterpiece of musical Impressionism.

Ms. Opolais and Nelsons have recorded this tragic story set within an austere convent with the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln and WDR Rundfunkchor Köln. Further information and links to purchase are available via Ms. Opolais’ Recordings. Critical acclaim as Suor Angelica at the Met:

“In the title role of “Suor Angelica,” the second of the three operas, Kristine Opolais was haunted and focused…her suffering and transcendence were chillingly real.” (The New York Times)

“…all attention remained riveted on Kristine Opolais and Stephanie Blythe in the central roles…happily placed at the front of the stage, her voice rose into the auditorium, the tone rounder than previously, her fraught demeanor a pity to behold. As the terrible news dawned on her, her body sank to the floor; we watched a woman break. “Senza mamma” was sung so endearingly that the Met audience was still.” (Bachtrack)

Photo: Tatyana Vlasova