(ANSA) - Agrigento - Luciano Pavarotti will bring his production of 'La Boheme' to the Valley of the Temples here this weekend for a single performance.
The legendary tenor has turned to directing in view of his upcoming retirement, which will officially take place on his 70th birthday this October.
Although he stopped performing in full opera productions some time ago, 'Big Luciano' is completing a 'farewell' world concert tour and may still perform in the future with his 'Three Tenors' partners Jose Carreras and Domingo Placido on special occasions, including soccer's 2006 World Cup.
Giacomo Puccini's 'La Boheme' marked Pavarotti's debut as a director and was first staged in the Adriatic coastal town of Fano during the last Christmas holidays. Pavarotti said it has always been one of his favorite operas and claims that it was after performing Rodolfo in 1961 that he realised that he had the "potential to become a good singer."
"I have approached this production with the affection and respect one has for one's first teacher. La Boheme, in fact, is the opera I have performed in the most and the one which saw my debuts in the world's most important houses," he added.
The novelty of Pavarotti's production is it is set in the Paris of the 1950s, rather than at the end of the 19th century. Looking back at his latest experience, the legendary tenor said that he had "immensely enjoyed working with these young people and sharing my own passion with them."
"I have worked with the best directors and the greatest conductors. And despite everything they still had to convince me of their vision. Now it was up to me to convince these young people of mine. But I think that after my suggestions they sing and move about better," Pavarotti observed.
Sunday's open air performance at the archeological site will see Mimi' interpreted by Simona Todaro and Alessandro Liberatore as Rodolfo. The cast also includes Sabrina Vianello (Musetta), Mauro
Bonfanti (Marcello), Andrea Patucelli (Colline), Pier Luigi Dilengite (Schaunard) and Domenico Colayammi (Benoit). The set and costumes are by Artemio Cabassi and inspired by the period fashions of Christian Dior.
Music will be provided by the Palermo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yanos Acs with Mauro Visconti directing the chorus.
