Speak and sing

Rising star Daniel Vadasz will share the stage in TA with Russian diva Karina Chepurnova and the Budapest Operetta Theater company.

By HELEN KAYE, BILLBOARD STAFF
vadasz 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
vadasz 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Daniel Vadasz is one of the rising young stars at both the Hungarian Opera and Operetta. He will share the stage December 11 through 13 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center with Russian diva Karina Chepurnova and the Budapest Operetta Theater company, in Operetta Squared, highlights from four of the most loved operettas in the genre: The Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus (The Bat), The Gypsy Princess and The Countess Maritza. Operetta has everything - dance, song, catchy music, great tunes, "and flexibility of phrasing, more so than in the classical opera... it's also more audience conscious," says Vadasz, who came into it by chance. Born in a small country town, about 200 km from Budapest, Vadasz played the clarinet and sang in local choirs growing up. At 19, he started formal vocal training and joined the Debrecen Opera Choir while studying law. In 2004, he made his debut at the Hungarian Opera as "the fiancé in a very experimental production of Blood Wedding," Vadasz explains, "The opera got mixed reviews, but it opened my career, and today I sing with both companies." Along with his roles as Alfred and Tassilo, he sings Danilo in The Merry Widow and Edwin in The Gypsy Princess with the Budapest Operetta Theater. At the opera, he just opened as Don José in Carmen, and he sings Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte. And remember to stay the whole way through, because operettas are known for their happy endings. For more information and ticketing visit The Israeli Opera online at israel-opera.co.il or call (03) 692-7777.