An infernal spectacular

By Norman Schwarze, 26 October 2015

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“Calleja's full, warm timbre led the listener through the pandemonium in a magical arc”

Reviewed at Nationaltheater, Munich on 24 October 2015

Boito, Mefistofele

Bavarian State Opera

Omer Meir Wellber, Conductor

Roland Schwab, Director

Renée Listerdahl, Costume Designer

Piero Vinciguerra, Set Designer

Kristine Opolais, Margherita

Joseph Calleja, Faust

René Pape, Mefistofele

Karine Babajanyan, Elena

Heike Grötzinger, Marta

Rachael Wilson, Pantalis

Joshua Owen Mills, Nereo

Andrea Borghini, Wagner

Bayerisches Staatsorchester

Bayerischer Staatsopernchor

Jones’ wicked Hänsel und Gretel returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper

Mark Pullinger, 6th December

Even without a gingerbread house, there’s enough wickedness in Richard Jones’ staging of Humperdinck’s opera for sweet tooths to savour.

****1

No fairy tale: Kušej’s Rusalka works with devastating force in Munich

Orsolya Gyárfás, 26th July

Asmik Grigorian leads a searing performance in Martin Kušej’s 15-year-old, yet ever-fresh, outstanding production of Dvořák's opera.

****1

Everlasting Everding: another beautiful Munich Zauberflöte revival

Laura Servidei, 4th January

August Everding’s Magic Flute is revived in Munich with a solid cast for the enjoyment of all ages.

***11

And they were the most divine gods: Das Rheingold in Munich

Phillip Richter, 3rd November

Tobias Kratzer's prelude to this new Ring cycle exceeds all expectations and scores a musical-theatrical success.

*****

All play and no work: an exuberant Figaro in Munich

Orsolya Gyárfás, 17th July

Evgeny Titov's new production is heavy on the jokes and light in substance, but delights anyway thanks to its high-class cast.

****1

Waltzing masks and masquerades in Kosky’s new Fledermaus

Zenaida des Aubris, 23rd December

Expect sequins and swinging chandeliers in the Australian director's new Fledermaus at the Bayerische Staatsoper.

****1

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Norman Schwarze

Norman ist Münchner, absoluter Reisefanatiker, Blogger und Opernliebhaber seit frühester Kindheit. Besonders begeistert er sich für progressive Inszenierungen und Stücke des 21. Jahrhunderts. Nach seinem Studium der Allgemeinen Sprachwissenschaften orientierte er sich neu und arbeitet nun als Produktmanager im Börsenumfeld. Das ist sein Blog: www.annees-de-pelerinage.com

Mefistofele: An infernally spectacular début at the Bavarian State Opera