Weder Fisch noch Fleisch: György Ligetis Le Grand Macabre in Amsterdam

By Michael Klier, 29 November 2021

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“eine Komposition, die in kein Klischee passt”

Reviewed at Concertgebouw: Main Hall, Amsterdam on 27 November 2021

Ligeti, Le Grand Macabre

James Gaffigan, Conductor

Martin Winkler, Nekrozar

Sofia Fomina, Amanda

Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Amando

Peter Hoare, Piet the Pot

Seth Carico, Astradamors

Heidi Melton, Mescalina

Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Prince Go-Go

Sara Hershkowitz, Chief of the Gepopo, Venus

Paul Curievici, White-Party Minister

Tim Kuypers, Black-Party Minister

Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (Radio Filharmonisch Orkest)

Netherlands Radio Choir (Groot Omroepkoor)

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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Michael Klier

Michael Klier macht schon seit mehr als einem halben Jahrhundert Musik. Als gebürtiger Berliner kam er 1993 nach Amsterdam. Er war Mitglied unterschiedlichster internationaler Ensembles und Orchester. Heute betreibt er eine florierende Unterrichts- und Coachingpraxis. Als Teamcoach bietet er dort Schulungen an, in denen die Kursteilnehmer miteinander komponieren, um so ihre ungenutzten kreativen Potentiale zu entdecken und besser miteinander zu kommunizieren. Denn: Musiker sind die Architekten des Himmels.

Weder Fisch noch Fleisch: György Ligetis Hyper-Oper Le Grand Macabre in Amsterdam