This feature highlights selected performances of operas in Paris, Marseille, Saint Louis and Los Angeles that I am scheduled to review.
This list is supplementary to previous lists in this “Quests and Anticipations” series of selected operas being performed beginning April 2014.
These are Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” in San Francisco in June, 1014 [See In Quest of Italian Opera Core Repertory Masterpieces in the American Southwest, January, June 2014];
Kern’s “Show Boat” in San Francisco and Bizet’s “Carmen” in Santa Fe [See Popular Opera Offerings in Southwestern Vacation Destinations – March-September, 2014];
Massenet’s “Don Quichotte” in San Diego, Massenet’s “Thais” in Los Angeles, Beethoven’s “Fidelio” in Santa Fe and Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” in Glimmerglass, New York [See Selected French and German Opera Offerings Coast to Coast April-August, 2014];
“Roberto Devereux in Toronto, “Don Pasquale” in Santa Fe and “Norma” and “La Cenerentola” in San Francisco [See “Bel Canto” Italian Works in Toronto and the American Southwest – April-October, 2014];
“Götterdämmerung” in Geneva, “Pique Dame” and “Andrea Chenier” in Zurich and “Guillaume Tell” in Torino [See Select April-May 2014 Opera Performances in Zurich, Geneva and Torino.]
I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Bellini), Opéra National de Paris, April 24, 26, 30, May 3, 8, 13, 17, 20 and 23, 2014.
Karine Deshayes is Romeo and Ekaterina Siurina is Giulietta in a Robert Carsen production of Bellini’s version of the Romeo and Juliet story.
[Below: Ekaterina Siurina as Giulietta; edited image, based on a photograph, courtesy of the Opera National de Paris.]
[For my performance review, see: Praiseworthy Performances by Siurina, Deshayes, Castronovo in Carsen’s Classic Conceputalization of “Capuleti e i Montecchi” – Opéra National de Paris, April 30, 2014.]
Le Roi d’Ys (Lalo), Opéra Municipal (Marseille, France); May 10, 13, 15 and 18(m), 2014.
Jean-Louis Pichon’s production of the late 19th epic opera, was created in 2008 for the opera company of which Pichon is general director, Opéra-Théâtre de Saint-Étienne, in collaboration with the Opéra Royal de Wallonie. The sets are by Alexandre Heyraud and costumes by Frédérc Pineau.
Inva Mula is Rozenn, Béatrice Uria Monzon is Margared. Florian Laconi is Mulio. Philippe Rouillon is Karnak and Nicolas Courjal, the King.
[Below: the soldiers of Ys gather to battle the forces of Karnak; edited image, based on a copyrighted Cyrille Sabatier photograph, from the Opera de Marseille.]
Pichon’s advocacy for unfairly neglected French works led to the revival of Lalo’s tale of two princesses of the mysterious submerged city of Ys who vie for the love of a childhood friend (Mylio)
Many opera-goers, in their collection of recordings, have Mylio’s famous aria Vainement, ma bien-aimée, but I suspect many more people know the aria than know the opera. Yet, this is an opera that may complement the 21st century’s taste for epic fantasy such as Game of Thrones. For the take on the opera expressed by an American Mylio, see: Rising Stars: An Interview with Charles Castronovo.
[For my performance review, see: A Rousing “Le Roi d’Ys” at Opera de Marseille – May 10, 2014.]
A Streetcar Named Desire (Previn), Los Angeles Opera, May 18, 21 and 24, 2014.
Los Angeles Opera presents a semi-staged version of Previn’s 1998 opera. A “high-powered” stage director, Brad Dalton, a renowned advocate for Previn’s opera, is brought in to “semi-stage” it.
[Below: Stanley Kowalski (Ryan McKinny, above) looks forward to spending time with his wife, Stella (Stacey Tappan, below); edited image, based on a Robert Millard photograph, courtesy of the Los Angeles Opera.]
[For my performance review, see: A Theatrically Brilliant “Streetcar Named Desire” Stars Fleming, McKinny, Tappan and Griffey – Los Angeles Opera, May 18, 2014.]
The Magic Flute (Die Zauberfloete), Opera Theater of Saint Louis (Missouri), May 24, 28, 30, June 5, 11. 15. 18, 21(m), 24 and 28, 2014.
The 2014 summer season of the Opera Theater of Saint Louis opens with a new production of Mozart’s last opera, “The Magic Flute”, created by fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi.
[Below: temple guards dance before the men of the temple; edited image, based on a Ken Howard photograph, courtesy of the Opera Theater of Saint Louis.]
Sean Panikkar is Tamino, Elixabeth Zharoff is Pamina and Levi Hernandez is Papageno. Claire de Sevigne is the Queen of the Night.
Jane Glover is conductor, except for the last two performances, which Stephen Lord will conduct.
[For my performance review, see: Mizrahi’s Charming “Magic Flute” Production Opens OTSL 2014 Season – St Louis, May 24, 2014.]