Javier Camarena made a selection of more than 500 compositions by Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846-1916) to choose the 22 songs that make up Sogno Tosti songs, the album that goes on sale next January 19 and will be will premiere live this Wednesday the 10th at the Palau de la Música Catalana (8 p.m.). With this concert, Camarena begins a tour with his regular collaborator, the Cuban pianist Ángel Rodríguez, with whom he has shared stages for more than 10 years.
The Palau stage is not new for the Mexican singer. In 2021 he debuted in this venue, when reduced capacity and the use of masks were the norm. Now he will be able to show all his potential, in a Palau without limitations. “Coming in less stressful conditions is a pleasure, and with a repertoire dedicated to one of the most prolific composers,” Camarena tells this newspaper.
The tenor - chosen in 2022 as the best male voice at the International Opera Awards - became known to the Barcelona public at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in 2012, with L'elisir d'amore by Gaetano Donizetti. The Sogno album not only includes the Italian's most emblematic songs, but also some that did not stand out among his extensive repertoire. “Many are not so well known and we will hear them for the first time live,” says Mercedes Conde, associate artistic director of the Palau.
The album also includes pieces in French and English, from when the Italian singer and composer lived in London, in his creative splendor. “He made more than 500 songs, so the selection was not easy,” says Camarena. “The guidelines were not to offer a new version, but to dig a little and learn more about the composer's history through his work. Discovering that he was a great singing teacher,” adds the Málaga-based artist.
“Something that characterizes all the projects I am working on,” he continues, “is not only to please the music lover, who is always happy to hear a new version of The Barber of Seville, but to offer something new by the same composer, with the same beauty.” and complications, the same technical needs,” declares the tenor born in the city of Xalapa.
The concert at the Palau will be divided into two parts. The first will begin with Quattro Canzoni d'Amaranta (Lasciami! Lascia ch'io respiri, L'alba sepa dalla luz l'ombra, In van preghi yChe dici parola del saggio?) and then continue with Malìa, Aprile, Sogno and L' ultima canzone, one of the best-known pieces by the Italian composer. The second part of the concert will begin with Mélodies (Ma bien-Aimée, Petite valse romàntique and Avec toi). After these songs in French, the musicians will perform 'Because of you, Vorrei will die!', 'A vucchella, Luna d'estate', ending the day with Marechiare, one of the author's most recognized Neapolitan songs.
After passing through Barcelona, the Mexican musician will continue at the Girona Auditorium (January 14), the Palau de les Arts in Valencia (January 21), the Zaragoza Auditorium (January 23), Oviedo (January 27) and the tour will culminate at the Teatro de la Maestranza, in the city of Seville (February 3).
