[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In our upcoming spring issue, due to be released the first week in May, Editorial Director Gianmarco Segato takes you to Vienna where he discovered the ‘perfect storm’ at the heart of that city’s opera scene.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Wolfgang Bankl (Animal Tamer/Athlete), Franz Grundheber (Schigolch) and Agnetha Eichenholz in the title role of Vienna State Opera’s Lulu. Photo: Michael Pöhn
“I was especially taken by an encounter I had before the Dec. 9 performance of Berg’s Lulu. A gentleman who had been enjoying a drink with two friends came up to me and asked, “What language will the opera be sung in?” When I said “German” he was surprised and remarked he had hoped it would be Italian. It seemed clear he had little idea which piece he was about to see, leave alone that it represented opera’s first full-scale leap into atonality!”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Waltraud Meier (Klytämnestra) in Vienna State Opera’s Elektra. Photo: Michael Pöhn
“Standout performances in the Elektra included Waltraud Meier’s Klytämnestra—still with plenty of voice and outstanding text-pointing…”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Carolina Lippo (Norina), Julian Henao Gonzalez (Ernesto), Florian Köfler (Don Pasquale) and Matteo Loi (Malatesta) in Theater an der Wien’s Don Pasquale. Photo: Herwig Prammer
“The reimagined score [for Theater an der Wien’s Don Pasquale], inspired by jazz and the film music of Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota, was played by the small, virtuoso ensemble, Die Wiener Theatermusiker, including such non-traditional Donizetti instruments as accordion, clarinet, saxophone and xylophone.”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]That’s just a teaser of the full piece—coming your way soon. Click on the images below for the full effect![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
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- Agnetha Eichenholz in the title role of Vienna State Opera’s Lulu. Photo: Michael Pöhn
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- Andreas Schager (Apollo) in Vienna State Opera’s Daphne. Photo: Michael Pöhn
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- Gun-Brit Barkmin (Chrysothemis) in Vienna State Opera’s Elektra. Photo: Michael Pöhn
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- Stephanie Houtzeel (Octavian) and Erin Morley (Sophie) in Vienna State Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier. Photo: Michael Pöhn
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- Krassimira Stoyanova (Feldmarschallin) in Vienna State Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier. Photo: Michael Pöhn
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Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
