French baritone Ludovic Tézier, recognized as one of the best in the world, gave a masterclass today at the Nicola Sala Conservatory of Benevento in the San Vittorino auditorium. Currently performing at the San Carlo Theater in Naples in the opera La Gioconda, Tézier accepted the invitation from the president of the Conservatory, Caterina Meglio, and the director, Giuseppe Ilario, both dedicated to pedagogical excellence.

After having sung Scarpia and Iago, two of the most evil chracters in opera, Ludovic Tézier is delighted to play another villain, Barnaba in Ponchiellis La Gioconda. For the new production at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, directed by Romain Gilbert and conducted by Pinchas Steinberg, he will join Anna Netrebko in the title role and Jonas Kaufmann as Enzo.

The performances of Verdi’s Otello, which took place at the Vienna State Opera at the end of October and beginning of November, were celebrated by the audience with standing ovations. The series, conducted by Alexander Soddy, was recorded by ORF, and the broadcast will take place on Sunday, November 19, as part of ERLEBNIS BÜHNE ON ORF III starting at 20:15. Prior to this, the three protagonists – Jonas Kaufmann (Otello), Rachel Willis-Sørensen (Desdemona), and Ludovic Tézier (Iago) – can be seen in a behind-the-scenes discussion with Barbara Rett.

On stage, they are usually rivals, but in real life, Jonas Kaufmann and Ludovic Tézier share a close friendship. After numerous joint live performances, their first duet album featuring both exceptional singers is now being released. Titled Insieme, which means “Together” in Italian, it will be available on October 7 from Sony Classical. Accompanied by the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia under Antonio Pappano, they present duets they have sung together on stage and pieces they have specifically rehearsed for this album.