scofieldbaritone

The composer of Otello , Giuseppe Verdi, hesitated to name his opera Iago , after one of the main characters. The production currently playing at the Opéra National de Nancy-Lorraine quickly makes it easy to understand why, especially thanks to Daniel Scofield's devastating performance. He is the one who manipulates Otello to satisfy his thirst for power, the one who brings about Desdemona's death, and, above all, the one who confesses to the audience that he believes in nothing in this...

American baritone Daniel Scofield joined the production just two days before the premiere following the sudden withdrawal of Matthias Goerne. Despite never having sung Wotan before (though he covered the role in 2023) and having minimal rehearsal time, Scofield makes his debut with remarkable assurance. Watching him, one would never suspect the circumstances. He becomes the dramatic anchor of the production, dominating the stage while giving coherence to Wotan’s deeply conflicted psyche. His...

The latter is played by Daniel Scofield , who replaced Matthias Goerne for all performances of the production. The young American bass possesses all the notes required for the part; he presents a compact and generous instrument that is impressive, among other things, for the enviable confidence in his upper register. His performance is accompanied by a marked determination in his accent, noble phrasing, and the necessary stage authority. Wotan is a complex and nuanced character, both vocally...