"Les Huguenots" Triumphant at Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels

"Drawing hearty performances from orchestra and chorus, Marc Minkowski conducts an admirably full account of the opera that runs to nearly five hours (including two intermissions). From his eloquent shaping of the Lutheran chorale 'Ein feste Burg' at the outset, Mr. Minkowski seeks out the music’s expressive potential. He is alert to fine points of orchestration in a score that never sounds formulaic. Clearly at one with the decision to emphasize Marguerite’s sexuality, Marlis Petersen, an acclaimed Lulu from Alban Berg’s opera, sings with seductive brilliance and moves with almost erotic allure — an unforgettable portrayal. Mireille Delunsch stews convincingly over Valentine’s conflict between love for Raoul and loyalty to family and religion. Julia Lezhneva, dressed in hotel attire, looks cherubic as Urbain and sings delightfully in both the page’s arias. The tenor Eric Cutler brings a winning combination of full- and head-voiced singing to the challenging role of Raoul. Soon after he sang his heart out in the fourth-act duet with Valentine — the most popular love duet of the 19th century — he shined again in Raoul’s taxing aria in Act 5. The baritones Philippe Rouillon and Jean-François Lapointe are excellent as the Comtes de Bris and de Nevers, respectively. And as Raoul’s retainer Marcel, the keen-edged bass Jérôme Varnier deals well with the crusty Huguenot’s quasi-comic moments and his stirring celestial vision in the face of death. The performances are double cast. Because of its impact on other composers, few works can be said to have changed the course of opera history as did Les Huguenots. Anyone who cares about opera should see this production." [Source]

An interesting promotional photograph for the opera is after the jump.

(Photos: Clärchen und Matthias Baus)

American Singers Triumph In Meyerbeer For Teatro Real

From left to right: Julianna Di Giacomo, Eric Cutler and Annick Massis (Photo: Javier de Real)

According to the blog Una Voce Poco Fa, the concert version of Giacomo Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots by the Teatro Real in Madrid was a resplendent success. The cast included tenor Eric Cutler as Raoul and Julianna di Giacomo as Valentine. Only three performances were given, but the author reviewing the opera states that it made a lasting impression: "Con todo y con eso, fue una época mágica donde como en el caso de Meyerbeer aparecieron nuevos instrumentos (en “Los Hugonotes”, la viola d´amore y el clarinete bajo) y una concepción de los coros, que adquieren un papel protagonista, evocando tal vez aquellos tradicionales coros griegos clásicos,
que comentaban con acritud y austeridad las componendas entre los dioses y los hombres. En esta versión que el Teatro Real presentó en tres únicas representaciones, el director musical, Renato Palumbo, hace un gran trabajo. Exquisita la sensibilidad y la compenetración entre la pareja de enamorados con Eric Cutler y Julianna di Giacomo en los roles de Raoul y Valentine. Una voz preciosa ella llena de recursos, buen fiato, una plasticidad escénica (aunque en apariencia solo cantara) el tenor norteamericano, afinado, con una bella voz, sugerente, expresiva. La Marguerite de Valois adquirió en Annick Massis toda la majestad de la reina de Navarra, su performance fue cómoda, sostenida, centrada. Excelentes Dimitris Tiliakos y Dmitry Ulyanov como el conde de Nevers y Marcel, respectivamente." [Source]