Discrètes splendeurs du baroque : Didon et Enée au Théâtre des Champs-Elysées

By Suzanne Lay-Canessa, 23 March 2016

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“Véronique Gens fut simplement sublime.”

Reviewed at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris on 20 March 2016

Purcell, Dido and Aeneas

Aurore Bucher, 1st Enchantress

Dania El Zein, 2nd Woman, 2nd Enchantress

Hasnaa Bennani, Belinda

Véronique Gens, Dido

Marie-Laure Coenjaerts, Sorceress, Spirit

Denis Mignien, Sailor

Nicolas Rivenq, Aeneas

La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy

Jean-Claude Malgoire, Conductor

Richard Jones’ clunky Samson et Dalila returns to Covent Garden

Dominic Lowe, 13th May

With Aigul Akhmetshina and Seokjong Baek in the title roles, there are reasons to be optimistic, but The Royal Opera’s revival of Richard Jones’ production is a mixed bag.

***11

Reality television: ENO’s Angel’s Bone in Manchester

Lawrence Dunn, 12th May

Kip Williams and ENO mount an extraordinary new production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s multifaceted opera, with performances of great emotional directness broadcast live on camera.

*****

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

David Smythe, 9th May

A traditional Marriage of Figaro entertains with a strong cast, eye-catching design and lighting, and Amanda Holden’s earthy libretto.

****1

Sasha Cooke brings sharp intelligence to Seattle Opera’s Carmen

Thomas May, 8th May

Sasha Cooke’s thoughtful role debut anchors Paul Curran’s visually and musically alert but dramatically uneven production.

****1

Werther oozes quiet despair in new Canadian Opera Company staging

John Gilks, 7th May

Excellent performances cannot turn a conventional production of Massenet’s Werther into a dramatic experience for the 21st century.

***11

Rossini’s Cenerentola proves great fun in Adelaide

Sandra Bowdler, 7th May

Neil Armfield’s production for State Opera South Australia combines a sparkling night of entertainment with first class musical values.

****1

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Suzanne Lay-Canessa

Docteure en littérature comparée, passionnée de langues, Suzanne a consacré sa thèse de doctorat à Jean-Sébastien Bach. Elle enseigne le français, la littérature et l’histoire de l’Opéra à l’Institute for American Universities et à Sciences Po Aix. Collaboratrice régulière du journal Zibeline, elle publie dans les rubriques Musiques, Livres, Cinéma, Spectacle vivant et Arts Visuels.

Discrètes splendeurs du baroque : Didon et Enée en « opéra de poche » au Théâtre des Champs-Elysées