“It isn’t unusual to see a violinist—rather than a maestro—leading a small orchestra in early music, or in works from the Baroque or Classical eras,” writes Joshua Barone in Thursday’s (7/11) New York Times. “It is extremely rare, however, to see one conducting bel canto operas, with their larger ensembles and layered rhythms, often delivered at a sprint. But that is the practice of Teatro Nuovo, a fledgling company that presents bel canto works as they likely were at their premieres: with a violinist, the concertmaster, juggling the head-spinning tasks of keeping together an entire orchestra and cast of singers, while also playing as a member of the violin section—virtuosic solos included. At Teatro Nuovo’s [July] performances … in Westchester County [and] Manhattan … that courageous violinist will be Jakob Lehmann, a 27-year-old Berliner and bel canto wunderkind … who this season is also taking on the role of associate artistic director of Teatro Nuovo…. Will Crutchfield … created Teatro Nuovo last year … out of his long-running series Bel Canto at Caramoor, which ended in 2017.” Says Crutchfield, “When you lead while playing, you’re leading, but you’re not controlling, not instructing.”
Posted July 17, 2019
