Purcell and Charpentier double bill in Paris

By Edward Sava-Segal, 04 October 2016

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“Vivica Genaux... a veritable tragedienne”

Reviewed at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris on 1 October 2016

Purcell, Dido and Aeneas (Concert performance)

Charpentier, Actéon (Concert performance)

Christophe Rousset, Conductor

Vivica Genaux, Dido, Junon

Yaïr Polishook, Aeneas

Daniela Skorka, Belinda, Diane

Valérie Gabail, 1st Enchantress, Hyale

Anat Edri, 2nd Woman, 2nd Enchantress, Aréthuze, Daphné

Cyril Auvity, Sailor, Actéon

Jean-François Novelli, Spirit

Étienne Bazola, Sorcerer

Mathieu Montagne, Tenor

Paul Cremazy, Tenor

Les Talens Lyriques

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

Welsh National Opera’s Dutchman docks in Birmingham

Rohan Shotton, 7th May

This bracing performance of The Flying Dutchman is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary musical standards which are at risk in the face of WNO’s subsidy cuts.

****1

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

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

Peter Grimes drops anchor again at The Royal Opera

Christopher Woodley, 5th May

Allan Clayton and Sir Bryn Terfel lead a strong cast in a revival of Deborah Warner's dark staging of Britten's signature work at Covent Garden.

****1

The early flowering of opera: a fragrant L’Orfeo at Schwetzingen

Mengguang Huang, 3rd May

Markus Bothe’s Botticelli-inspired production fuses tableau vivant aesthetics with Jörg Halubek’s surgical musical precision, offering a peerless, vivid tribute to the fragrant dawn of opera.

****1

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Edward Sava-Segal

Edward has been living in New York for the last 25 years, one of the reasons being the extraordinarily rich cultural life in this city. He has studied piano and classical music in his early years. He switched later on to computer science and data architecture but he kept an unwavering interest in following the classical music phenomenon here in New York and in his travels. Edward occasionally reviews fine arts events for the most prestigious literary magazine in Romania, his home country.

Purcell and Charpentier double bill help celebrate Les Talens Lyriques' 25th anniversary in Paris