La Missa solemnis belle mais pas divine des Balthasar Neumann

Thomas Hengelbrock dirige la Missa solemnis au Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

By Irma Foletti, 24 July 2023

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“on ne se sent pas transporté vers le sublime, malgré l'écriture qui atteint des sommets”

Reviewed at Grand Théâtre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence on 22 July 2023

Beethoven, Mass in D major, “Missa solemnis”, Op.123

Thomas Hengelbrock, Conductor

Liv Redpath, Soprano

Fleur Barron, Contralto

Julian Prégardien, Tenor

Brindley Sherratt, Bass

Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble

Balthasar-Neumann-Chor

The Carsen effect: brilliant Iphigénie in Paris

Tristan Labouret, 22nd June

The Canadian director's aesthetic is a perfect fit for Gluck's work. Dazzling performances by Gaëlle Arquez and Stéphane Degout. Great musical direction by Thomas Hengelbrock.

*****

An early start to Easter: Bach in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 17th March

The Balthasar-Neumann-Chor and Ensemble performed a deeply moving, if slightly uneven, St John Passion, setting off the Oslo Church Music Festival.

****1

Pablo Heras-Casado explores Monteverdi in Barcelona

Pep Gorgori, 9th February

Having received excellent reviews for his Mahler, Verdi, Wagner and Shostakovich, Pablo Heras-Casado decided to programme a composer he has loved since his youth: Claudio Monteverdi.

****1

Orpheus and Eurydice at Teatro Real

Fernando Remiro, 12th July

Almost 40 years after its première, Pina Bausch's daring reinterpretation of the myth of Orpheus still captivates audiences worldwide. This tanzoper is one of the most accomplished attempts to create a contemporary tragedy, an enthralling reflection on human boundaries and the acceptance of death.

****1

Pina Bausch lives: Orpheus and Eurydice at the Lincoln Center

Stephen Raskauskas, 20th July

Two years after her untimely death, the world is still celebrating of one of the most influential figures of contemporary dance – Pina Bausch.

****1

Steffani's Niobe, Regina di Tebe at Covent Garden

David Karlin, 25th September

In 2008, conductor Thomas Hengelbrock rediscovered Niobe, Regina di Tebe, written in 1687 by the Venetian-born, German-based composer Agostino Steffani. Although now little remembered, Steffani was a world-famous composer in his day and a man of many talents who became a diplomat and bishop as well as being a musician.

*****

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Irma Foletti

Italienne, géomètre de formation, Irma s’est soudainement prise de passion pour l’opéra il y a bientôt 35 ans... en même temps que son mari François, la flamme étant allumée alors par un certain Luciano Pavarotti ! Installée depuis 15 ans dans le Sud de la France, elle fréquente très assidument les théâtres et festivals de cette région, et se déplace aussi en France, Europe, Amérique. Ses goûts musicaux sont assez larges, avec tout de même deux chouchous : Rossini et Meyerbeer.

La Missa solemnis belle mais pas divine des Balthasar Neumann au Festival d'Aix