Rolando+Nino in Athens: A beer, a teddy bear, some greek flags and a triumph

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Rolando Villazón is a man of his word. He promised us a night to remember and he gave us one…

Sitting happy as a clam in my first row seat, I was wondering how can it be…the feeling of having Rolando singing for yourself. Myself. And my friends. That was exactly what it was like…having Rolando in front of me, at half a meter, singing, crying, laughing, sweating, spitting (quite a lot).

Rolando appeared on stage with one of his typical dark blue jackets (you know…with the floral designs) and received a tremendous welcome by the audience.

Then it was Rolando’s time to greet, the President of the Hellenic Republic and the audience:

“Kalispera sas Kyrie Proedre, kyries kai kyrioi”

(“Good evening mr. President, ladies and gentlemen”).

“I ‘m very glad to be here tonight”

“This is all the greek I can speak”.

It’s pretty easy to seduce the greeks…Just speak a little greek to them and make them have a good time…

First notes of “Pourquoi me reveiller”, Rolando sings one of his trademark arias, with great pathos, surrendered to Massenet’s grief. The voice sounds beautiful, dark, velvety. A momentary lack of control on a high note was the only flaw I could find (and don’t forget that I could even hear him breathe from my seat).

Nino’s time.

Nino Machaidze takes her place next to the maestro, looking stunning (more stunning than you may imagine), greets the public and says that she will sing first the Sleepwalking Scene from La Sonnambula.

Her “Ah! Non credea mirarti” is as stunning as her looks. Totally in control of her huge voice (I mean huuuuge!) she receives many “brava” before singing the triumphal cabaletta of Amina. Her “Ah! Non giunge” is triumphal indeed. She sounds totally at ease with this repertoire, a great lirico with an immense voice, easy high notes, flawless coloratura. The only thing I noticed at this first live encounter with her voice was some tonality problem, nothing else. And I repeat “huge voice!”.

Rolando is back singing Des Grieux’s dream… Le rêve.

How much time does a common brain need to realize the images that pass in front of ones eyes?

The time was already about 9.00 and I was starting to realize that this guy standing in front of me, was THAT guy, my Rolando…

The first part of the concert ended with “Va! Je t’ ai pardonné” and it was about time to confirm with our own eyes the chemistry between Roli and Nino, Salzburg’s Romeo et Juliette. I knew I wanted to live this from the very first time I watched the Romeo DVD from Salzburg…

Second part.

Rolando Villazón with another fancy jacket…a black one this time .

“Kuda, kuda” always makes me cry… And this was not an exception. Should I say more?

Time for more Juliette: Nino singing the most perfect “Je veux vivre”! And I mean perfect! PERFECT! She definitely deserved the storm of “brava” she received…

Rolando in an interview he gave for the Greek Radio some days before the concert insisted on how beautiful is this totally forgotten aria from Mascagni’s “Il figliuol prodigo”. “Tenda natal” is for sure a wonderful aria and I ‘ll have to say that it was overall the best of Rolando’s arias last night!

Every single thing I have loved about Rolando, was there: passion, musicality, beauty of sound, theatricality, sentiment. I was lost. Surrendered to my feelings, to my thoughts, to my fragile situation during the last few weeks, I left a few tears climb up my eyes, and thanked God for still being able to feel, for still being able to live and my thought flew to some hospital of Athens where a person I love is giving her last battle…

Enough with tears! Rolando was there to make us laugh too!

Nooooow, here ‘s a scene that you wouldn’t ever expect to witness:

Rolando enters wearing a t-shirt of the Greek national football team, a cap with the greek flag on it and a big can of beer and starts singing “Caaaaaro Elisir! Sei mio!”.

He was all the Nemorino we have loved on dvd, the innocent, pure, funny guy. Nino enters and sings her first lines from the wings… Rolando now holds the beer can (and yes, he is drinking beer) and takes out a teddy-bear. The rest is history.

Bis time: 2 Adriana Lecouvreur arias (La Dolcissima effigie, L’anima ho stanca) and the omnipresent "No puede ser". And of course a Brindisi with both Roli and Nino on stage.

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The entrance to the dressing rooms is crowded. A quick survey reveals that 60% of those waiting for Rolando, hold the "Cielo e Mar" cd. And 100% of them try to find a way to get in.

When finally Rolando comes out, and "confronts" his fans (each and everyone of them wants about 5-6 autographs, at least), I find the time to sneak to Nino's dressing room. The most beautiful girl in opera world today looks radiant and happy.

At the reception poor Rolando can't find a moment of peace. He's being constantly photographed and does not stop signing autographs always with a smile on his face. "Vamos?" he says to Lucía and in a few minutes they 're gone.

Well, a few minutes were enough for me... I go close and Rolando tells me "I got you all wet by spitting, huh?".

Did the cat eat your tongue Parsi?

I mumble something like "Doesn't matter, I had a great time" and we shoot a few photos together with our tongues out. No, you won't see those.

Goodnight Rolando. Be back.

ps. Avoiding all reference to the Orchestra and maestro was deliberate. I wouldn't want to spoil it by writing about a bunch of 3rd class wannabe musicians...