Une Damnation de Faust 100% toulousaine à la Halle aux Grains

By Arnaud Saura-Ziegelmeyer, 25 February 2019

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“Tugan Sokhiev dose parfaitement son orchestre afin de laisser les voix toujours audibles”

Reviewed at Halle aux grains, Toulouse on 22 February 2019

Berlioz, La Damnation de Faust (Concert performance)

Tugan Sokhiev, Conductor

Sophie Koch, Marguerite

Marc Laho, Faust

John Relyea, Méphistophélès

Julien Véronèse, Brander

Chœur de l'Opéra national du Capitole de Toulouse

Alfonso Caiani, Conductor

Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse

A witty hotel Don Giovanni opens Blackwater Valley Festival

Andrew Larkin, 27th May

Tom Creed’s witty production at Lismore Castle delivers strong singing, sharp comedy and lively orchestral playing, even if the opera’s darker supernatural edges are somewhat diminished.

****1

Werther revived at San Carlo: an anatomy of emotional isolation

Lorenzo Fiorito, 26th May

Willy Decker’s psychologically intense Werther returns to the Teatro di San Carlo with a deeply human interpretation by Francesco Demuro and refined conducting by Lorenzo Passerini.

*****

A birthday reimagining of Il viaggio a Reims in Salzburg

Laura Servidei, 25th May

In Barrie Kosky’s hyperactive staging, Il viaggio a Reims becomes a birthday tribute to Cecilia Bartoli complete with rewritten text, extravagant costumes, sexual escapades and a giant cake.

***11

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut’s Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****1

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Arnaud Saura-Ziegelmeyer

Maître de conférences en histoire ancienne à l'Institut Catholique de Toulouse, Arnaud enseigne également à l'Université Toulouse II et à l'Institut National Universitaire d'Albi. Passionné de musique, violoniste et pianiste, il a poursuivi en parallèle de ses études en histoire un cursus au Conservatoire de Toulouse et y a obtenu plusieurs prix. Ses recherches portent sur l’histoire des religions antiques et notamment sur l’utilisation de la musique dans le cadre des cultes polythéistes.