He is from Tuscany, actually from the Maremma and the nephew of a true Buttero, as he likes to specify. As you get to know him, you discover that the fierce, modest and peaceful spirit of the Etruscans whom he is passionate about, lives anew in him; from his strong handshake to the last note of his marvelous singing. It is true, for the person we are speaking of is an ambassador of bel canto.
We are referring to Roberto Nencini, a baritone with well-respected ancestry: it is difficult to count the shining prizes in his showcase and all the awards bestowed on him. It will suffice to say that he has performed with Ricciarelli, Cossotto and Casolla and under the direction of Petre, Metha and Muti, to name a few. Nencini though is an artist with multifaceted talent, an artist always looking for challenges. He has in fact worked in theatre and the movies under the direction of Zeffirelli, Comencini, Laudadio and Steno, not to mention a recent visit to the world of Musical.
He was the powerful Mangiafuoco/ Fire Eater of “Pinocchio”, directed by Pooh. On the stage he is amazing. He has a full voice and he is a charismatic interpreter and an actor with inborn qualities at times refined and at times impetuous and ironic. When the lights on the stage go off, years as a performer did not touch the essence of the man. We briefly talked to him as we caught up with him during a time of rest in his native Maremma. “I am here to work on a project that has been on my mind for a long time”.
What kind of project?
Opening a school of bel canto. I remember I had to move to studyand I want to offer an opportunity to the young people of this area.And then, among the many requests, I received one from Lima,which I am particularly interested in. They asked me there toperform a Requiem by Verdi.
Why are the bel canto artists sought after abroad and almostignored in Italy?
Because our society is very superficial, the melomeniacs representa small niche. We forget the greatest authors are Italian and we gocrazy for imported music. Abroad, on the other hand, they adorethe Italian bel canto. Weird indeed! Is it a pity to be ignored in your own land and adored abroad? No. Touring around the world makes you proud, knowing that youhave the honor to represent your own country. How are the audiences in other countries?
Very attentive! They don’t miss a note…
Is there a specific occurrence in your career which really stands out?
It goes back to my debut at the Torre del Lago Puccini Festival. Iwas invited to sing for Simonetta Puccini, niece of the great Maestro.Before I started, she approached me and said abruptly: “I really wantto know how this Edgard sings”. At the end of the romance she askedme why I hadn’t been present at the mass for her grandfather’s soul– I really couldn’t tell her I had not been invited – and she added:“What a shame, grandfather would have loved you!”
When you work, are you aware of your Maremma ties?
If the situation requires it, I reveal my disposition. I remember oncein Amsterdam, the theatre was full and I was about the get on thestage and the well-know singer who was due to perform with mehad a panic attack. I faced her resolutely and literally pushed heron the stage. She gave a beautiful performance and right after shesaid: You really come from the Maremma!” Ever since that day webecame best friends.
What is the strongest emotion you feel as you sing?
An intimate feeling I feel every time I sing in church. When I sing, Ithank God for the precious gift of my voice.
What about professionally?
The first time I sang at the Duomo di Milano with 150 orchestralplayers and 200 choralists behind me in front of an audience of 14,000 completely silent people! Breathtaking.