The Year of Chenier
The season 24/25 saw Gregory Kunde appear in three consecutive productions of Giordano’s masterpiece Andrea Chenier.
Beginning in Parma, Greg collaborated with long time colleagues - soprano Saioa Hernandez and bass Luca Salsi - to create a triumphant and traditional take of this timeless classic. Revolution and romance brought this trio together for hugely successful and well received performances. Never before in the history of the theater in Parma, each of these three principals performed an encore of an aria in a single performance.
“Gregory Kunde's extraordinary Chénier receives the first waves of applause after "Un dì all'azzurro spazio", and it will be the same for the entire performance. The tenor's singing line is extremely refined, the phrasing and accents are varied, rich in color, dramaturgically perfect, the voice is luminous, firm in the high notes and supported by a very solid technique.” - Operaclick.com, May 2025
“…And Gregory Kunde in the role of a protagonist who was able to fully involve for his solidity and vocal expressiveness - especially in the medium-high tessitura - right from "Un dì all'azzurro spazio", shaping the role of "young poet and lover" with a stage craft capable of enhancing his artistic experience and transcending his age maturity, right up to the encore of "Come un bel dì di Maggio”.” - Giornaledellamusica.it, May 2025
Next, the tenor traveled to Berlin where he was reunited with dear friend and soprano Sondra Radvanovsky for another beautiful production of the love story set during the French Revolution. The couple drew enraptured audiences into their tragic tale. Kunde again confirmed that his rock solid technique and experience affords him the ability to manage this treacherous role, considered by most to be one of the most challenging in the verismo and spinto tenor repertory.
“Gregory Kunde delivers a noble, fully inhabited Chénier, sung with great musicality. His voice — positively infused with the experience of a distinguished career — retains impressive projection and superb control. The phrasing is intelligent, the text delivery clear, the stylistic instincts spot-on. His “Come un bel dì di maggio” is a model of expressive restraint, moving in its simplicity. A masterclass in singing, and a genuinely touching moment of theatre.” - Opera Diary, June 2025
“The vocal cast for this revival is also overwhelming....And more than that! Gregory Kunde, originally from the USA, one of the world's most sought-after and elegant singers in the Italian and French repertoire (and beyond), sang the title role admirably at the age of 71, still powerful and emotional, assured in the high notes, with a beautiful voice, bel canto style, and great vocal authority.” - Deropernfreund.de, June 2025
Finally, on to Torino, where Kunde worked with stage director Gian Carlo Del Monaco to bring this new and original production to life. The first act set in 1798 was transformed and transported to a futuristic setting, bringing Kunde and his cast into a more contemporary locale. Though the era changed, the music and the conflict remained timeless, underscoring the perennial societal challenges of class divisions and discrimination.
Did you know that soprano Maria Agresta and bass Franco Vassalo worked with Gregory years ago in this very theater, all three making their debut in I Vespri Siciliani? The reunion was a wonderful moment for the trio of artists.
"Finally the protagonist: on GREGORY KUNDE adjectives and expert praise have long run out. We are once again surprised by the vocal posture, breaths, sharp timings and squeals of the now veteran Illinois tenor. Unbeatable on the expressive side, able to always dominate a palette of colors and accentuate and phrasing like a great artist that he is. His incarnation of the unfortunate French poet, translates into a masterful class of singing and art.” - Andrea Merli Impiccione Viaggiatore, I Teatri dell'Est, June 2025
“The vocal cast features three protagonists of certain appeal, starting with the tireless Gregory Kunde, once again Andrea Chénier after the triumphant performances at the Teatro Regio in Parma last May, for whom it is not difficult to speak of a miracle if we analyze the long journey of vocal transformation that took him from being originally a bel canto tenor to establishing himself in dramatic roles, even in the verismo repertoire, where today he seems to have no equal…. he always remains a poet, in the way he sings and gives the character that dimension of eloquence that seems to be measured with balance, style and expressive intelligence...” - Alessandro Mormile, June 2025