Apér’Opéra d’Avignon with Juliette Mey – News
As part of the Apér’Opéra recital cycle, the Opéra Grand Avignon presents at the Mozart Amphitheater of the Conservatory, the recital of the mezzo-soprano Juliette Mey, winner of the 6th Opéra Jeunes Espoirs competition by Raymond Duffaut in 2021, accompanied by the pianist Christophe Larrieu.
Juliette Mey’s very refined program allows her to demonstrate her vocal abilities over three parts devoted exclusively to the Italian repertoire, following the chronological order (baroque, classical, then romantic with the bel canto of Bellini and Rossini).
Very attentive, the French pianist (and conductor) Christophe Larrieu accompanies the mezzo-soprano with professionalism and solemnity. Highlighting the soloist, her precise playing contributes to translating the emotions of the words of the mezzo. They both set up a very pleasant atmosphere in the room, thus inviting the public to rock and stay focused throughout the recital. Christophe Larrieu also appears as a soloist with the Keyboard Sonata K531 by Domenico Scarlatti, which he plays with elegance and the fluidity of a virtuoso game overflowing with colours.
Juliette Mey offers a round and well-timbred voice, in addition to her resonant bass and agile ornaments. She captures the audience’s attention in seconds, and continues to surprise them with the flexibility, liveliness and brilliance of her voice. Her posture and her facial expression convey the assurance and dynamism that she also manifests in her rhythmic phrasing, from stamped lows to soaring highs, with sharp accents revealing the breadth of her range. Her Italian pronunciation confirmed why she won the prize for the best interpretation of the Italian repertoire (as well as her “Young Talents” category and the Audience Prize) at the last Opéra Jeunes Espoirs Raymond Duffaut Competition.
The public applauds for long minutes and asks for an encore that heArmatae face and anguibus” (Juditha triumphs by Vivaldi) resulting in a new round of applause, a final bow and the usual friendly encounter with the artists of this Apér’Opéra.