Joyce DiDonato’s Carmen is cancelled due to conductor’s health
OperaMessage from the American mezzo:
I am heartbroken to hear the news of John Nelson’s health which has made necessary his withdrawal from our planned concerts and recording of ‘Carmen.’ My singular, heartfelt wish is for his swift and complete recovery. John is not only a treasured friend, but one of my most trusted, long-term musical partners.
It is with a most heavy heart that this situation gives way to my withdrawal from singing the title role in these concerts. Carmen is a role I never sought out, yet John’s invitation to perform her under his most refined, scrupulous, and deeply authentic guidance was one I could not pass up. The chance to discover her, and debut the role with a particular shared vision, and in his trusted hands, is unfortunately no longer possible at this time.
I am, of course, deeply sorry for any of the beloved public who will be disappointed to not hear “my” Carmen, but please understand, “my” Carmen was only intended to be a union of my individual approach and John’s trusted guidance on the podium. My sincere hope is that we may find the way to reschedule, so this unique and very specific collaboration can still happen one day soon.
Let’s work not to see this as bad news, but instead welcome the positive news that John’s prognosis is strong, and that he is surrounded by an incredible community of people who love him. I know he will welcome your understanding and best intentions.
The production was due to premiere in April.
Best wishes and good luck to both John and Joyce.
Get well soon, maestro….
Yes, I was wanting to hear JDD’s “my” Carmen, and see what “my” Carmen was going to be.
John Nelson has always been the most underrated American conductor of his generation and I can only wish him the very best of health. His “St.John Passion”, Britten “War Requiem” and Handel “Alcina”, all here in Chicago, were three of the finest live performances I’ve ever heard.
Hear, hear! Looking forward to seeing him back in action soon.
John Nelson is also probably thje finest Berlioz conductor since Sir Colin Davis.
1 month before her actual “debut” in a role that is not suitable for her in the first place. If she would have been prepared, she would have sung it, but she realized it’s not for her. Not really Ok to blame the conductor’s health for her choice of not performing anymore.
Paul, your comment could not be more wrong. This musical relationship goes back more than two decades. The only reason Joyce was doing Carmen, a role she never considered performing on stage, was to be able to sing and record it with John Nelson and the OPS. They had been planning this for three years and without John and the recording the raison d’etre no longer existed. There remains hope that the recording might still be possible at some point in the future.
Please avoid mean-spirited and uninformed comments. The situation is real, and very disappointing for all. We pray for Maestro Nelson’s health and recovery.
FYI :This concert/recording was planned on April 4-6th with the Strasbourg Philharmonic.
Sorry, but to borrow a line from the article on Evgeny Kissin: “She doesn’t have a drop of Carmen blood in her.”
First I thought why can’t they find another conductor but she explains it pretty good and with deep thinking so – sad but good luck!
The concert in Strasbourg is maintained with Ekaterina Nikolova as Carmen under the direction of Aziz Shokhakimov, musical director of the Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg. Sadly the concert in Londo (RoyalAlbert Hall) is cancelled.