Moïse et Pharaon

We never stop rediscovering Rossini’s inexhaustible genius and its multiple facets! When Egyptomania was at its height, the French made Rossini their idol and he decided to adapt one of his Neapolitan operas, thus aiming to conquer the Paris Opera. Moses and Pharaoh tells the story of the Hebrew’s departure from Egypt, which climax is the famous crossing of the Red Sea. It is a spectacular grand opera punctuated by plagues and miracles: a work of unique greatness and dramatic power with striking chorus orchestration and demonstrative vocality; a work which fascinated Stendhal and Balzac in their time. Prestigious newcomers are part of this first presentation at the Festival d’Aix: the great specialist of the Italian 19th century Michele Mariotti conducts a very promising cast dominated by Michele Pertusi’s legendary Moses. The multiple award-winner Tobias Kratzer – known for his intelligent rereadings – reminds us of the complex realities of today’s Mediterranean world, between realism and utopia.