Sabine Devieilhe triumphs as Lakmé in concert in Zurich

Sabine Devieilhe (Lakmé)

Sandra Hamaoui, Bożena Bujnicka, Irène Friedli, Edgardo Rocha, Björn Bürger

Sandra Hanaoui (Ellen) and Edgardo Rocha (Gérald)

By Laura Servidei, 10 April 2023

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“a young girl discovering love for the first time, overwhelmed and ultimately crushed by it”

Reviewed at Opernhaus, Zurich on 8 April 2023

Delibes, Lakmé (Concert performance)

Zurich Opera

Alexander Joel, Conductor

Orchester der Oper Zürich

Zurich Opera Chorus

Sabine Devieilhe, Lakmé

Edgardo Rocha, Gérald

Philippe Sly, Nilakantha

Siena Licht Miller, Mallika

Björn Bürger, Frédéric

Sandra Hamaoui, Ellen

Irène Friedli, Mistress Bentson

Bożena Bujnicka, Rose

Janko Kastelic, Choirmaster / chorus director

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Mengguang Huang, 28th March

Davide Livermore’s high-octane production transforms Handel into a lavish blockbuster. While the superstars shine, the relentless entertainment-first approach often sacrifices musical refinement and dramatic logic for Netflix-style spectacle.

***11

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Laura Servidei, 21st September

Lydia Steier stages Strauss’ masterpiece to open Zurich Opera’s first premiere under the new artistic direction – a triumphant success.

****1

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Laura Servidei, 29th September

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***11

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Anna Pirozzi and Piero Pretti bring Italian sunshine to Baumgarten’s confused production at the Opernhaus Zürich.

**111

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Thomas Schacher, 20th February

Barrie Kosky stages the famous Viennese operetta as a whirlwind spectacle. Marlis Petersen shines in the title role vocally and theatrically. Michael Volle does not live up to expectations.

****1

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Benjamin Bernheim leads a very good cast in a revival of Tatjana Gürbaca's interesting 2017 production.

***11

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Laura Servidei

Mathematician, science nerd, translator of popular science books, obsessed opera fan since the teen years. Day job: business analyst in a software house developing systems for the financial industry. Amateur choral singer. Main musical interests: baroque music and Italian opera. Originally from Italy, currently based in Sweden. I make a mean eggplant parmesan.