The sacrifice of Bérénice: a long break-up at the Opéra Garnier in Paris

By Louise Boisselier, 01 October 2018

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“a high quality production, served by an unimpeachable cast”

Reviewed at Opéra national de Paris: Palais Garnier, Paris on 29 September 2018

Jarrell, Bérénice

Opéra national de Paris

Philippe Jordan, Conductor

Claus Guth, Director

Christian Schmidt, Set Designer

Linda Redlin, Costume Designer

Bo Skovhus, Titus

Barbara Hannigan, Bérénice

Ivan Ludlow, Antiochus

Alastair Miles, Paulin

Julien Behr, Arsace

Rina Schenfeld, Phénice

Orchestre de l'Opéra national de Paris

Pomp meets ping-pong: Nixon in China lands again in Paris

David Karlin, 14th March

Excellent vocal acting from Thomas Hampson, Renée Fleming, Xiaomeng Zhang and a magnificent orchestral performance conducted by Kent Nagano can't make Valentina Carrasco's production fully grip.

***11

Thomas Adès’ high-flying Exterminating Angel in Paris

Erwan Gentric, 29th February

The French premiere of the British composer's opera will be the undisputed high point of the Grande Boutique's season: a perfect confluence of music, staging and cast.

*****

Shock and awe in Paris with Bernstein's A Quiet Place

David Karlin, 9th March

In the expert hands of both director Warlikowski and conductor Kent Nagano, the sequel to Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti proves to be even darker and more dramatic.

*****

A long road to nowhere for Igor at the Bastille

Mark Pullinger, 1st December

Barrie Kosky's makes a limited impact in his debut at Opéra de Paris, apart from an hallucinogenic Polovtsian Dances.

***11

Les Indes galantes: with Alarcón, Rameau conquers the Bastille

Philippe Ramin, 28th September

The new production of Les Indes galantes at Opéra Bastille is exceptional, from the vocal cast to the choreography by Bintou Dembélé. But the stand-out performance of the evening comes from conductor Leonardo Garcia Alarcón.

*****

Don Giovanni according to Ivo van Hove: a puritan despite himself?

Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut, 16th June

Don Giovanni returns to the Palais Garnier. The production by Ivo van Hove lacks energy but is wonderfully served by a cast of great young talents.

***11

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Louise Boisselier

Oscillant constamment entre musique et littérature, Louise Boisselier s’attache à partager l’éclectisme de ses goûts par différents vecteurs. Formée dans les classes de musicologie du Conservatoire National de Paris, elle anime régulièrement des ateliers de médiation musicale ou des visites guidées (Philharmonie de Paris), présente des concerts (Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, Auditorium du Louvre), ou contribue à diverses rédactions.