Two Rayfield Allied artists, Georgian bass Goderdzi Janelidze and Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Justina Gringytė, made their debuts at Opéra national de Paris last weekend in the first revival of Claus Guth’s production of Rigoletto at the Opéra Bastille. This represents the beginning of an exciting 2021/22 season for both artists: later in the season Goderdzi Janelidze makes his debut at the Royal Opera House as the Old Hebrew in Richard Jones’s new production of Samson et Dalila, and Justina Gringytė sings her first Amneris in Aida at Israeli Opera.
Both Janelidze as Sparafucile, and Gringytė as his sister Maddalena, have received excellent reviews:
“…the Georgian Goderdzi Janelidze, bass baritone with a magnificent timbre, portrays an unsettling Sparafucile.”
Jean-Christophe Mary, Paris Capitale
“Justina Gringytė plays a Maddalena with a round, supple and warm voice…”
“More threatening, however, is Goderdzi Janelidze as Sparafucile, the assassin. He emerges from the shadows with a deep, cavernous bass, full of rich undertones…”
Lara Othman, Olyrix
”…the impressive Sparafucile of Goderdzi Janelidze, a powerful bass making a more than promising debut at the Opéra national de Paris…”
Audrey Bouctot, Forum Opéra
Watch the famous quartet from Act 3, ‘Bella figlia dell’amore’ below, featuring Justina Gringytė alongside Dmitry Korchak as Il Duca di Mantova, Ludovic Tézier as Rigoletto, and Nadine Sierra as Gilda.
Rigoletto runs until 24 November – read more about the production here.
Photo credit: Elisa Haberer