Opera Rara launches its 55th Season with a Salon Concert on Friday 10 October 2025 with Argentinean baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara and pianist Anna Tilbrook in partnership with Temple Music Foundation. Enjoy an evening of little-known songs by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) side by side with those of Argentinean composers Juan Pedro Esnaola (1808-1878), Julián Aguirre (1868-1924), Carlos López Buchardo (1881-1948), Celia Torrá (1889-1962), Alberto Williams (1862-1952) and Ana Carrique (1886-1978).

A graduate of the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artist Programme, Alcántara made his Opera Rara debut as Simon Boccanegra in the charity’s revival of the original 1857 version of Verdi’s opera with The Hallé and Sir Mark Elder. Many of the rare Argentinian songs he has chosen for this evening will have their UK premiere in this concert.

Taking place in the splendid Middle Temple Hall, where Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was first performed, the evening will end with a post-concert reception with the artists – a perfect opportunity to meet the artists and make new friends!

VENUE: 

If you have questions about accessibility, please contact us at events@opera-rara.com.

PROGRAMME: 

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Odi d’un uom che muore

Juan Pedro Esnaola (1808-1878)
El desamor
*UK premiere

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Mentre del caro lido

Julián Aguirre (1868-1924)
Caminito

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Un baiser pour espoir

Carlos López Buchardo (1881-1948)
Les roses de Nöel
*UK premiere
Canción de Ausencia
*UK premiere

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Ov’è la voce magica

Interval

Celia Torrá (1889-1962)
Milonga del destino
*UK premiere

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Si tu m’as fait à ton image

Carlos López Buchardo (1881-1948)
Lassitude
*UK premiere

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Il pescatore “Batte il bronzo, il ciel s’imbruna”

Alberto Williams (1862-1952)
Milonga calabacera

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Il crociato “Colle piume sul cimiero”

Julián Aguirre (1868-1924)
La lune
*UK premiere

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Luna e Stelle della notte

Ana Carrique (1886-1979)
A patay huele la luna