La Fura dels Baus' Faust is as spectacular as Grand Opéra gets

By Nicolas Nguyen, 16 May 2014

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Reviewed at Dutch National Opera and Ballet, Amsterdam on 15 May 2014

Gounod, Faust

Dutch National Opera

Marc Minkowski, Conductor

Àlex Ollé, Director

Alfons Flores, Set Designer

Irina Lungu, Marguerite

Doris Lamprecht, Marthe

Marianne Crebassa, Siebel

Michael Fabiano, Faust

Florian Sempey, Valentin

Christian Helmer, Wagner

Mikhail Petrenko, Méphistophélès

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Chorus of Dutch National Opera

Ching Lien Wu, Choirmaster / chorus director

Michel van der Aa’s Theory of Flames: defining opera for a modern age

Clare Varney, 6th March

British singers Mary Bevan and Roderick Williams lead the cast in Dutch National Opera’s latest ground-breaking opera, merging live music with pre-recorded film and electronics.

****1

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

Semele at Dutch National Opera: myth, desire and fantasy

Mengguang Huang, 23rd January

Guth’s Semele turns myth into a contemporary domestic drama, where desire becomes obsession and illusion consumes reality. Handel’s music remains the true engine, driven by a thrilling, physically intense ensemble.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's Program B is the A+ Program in New York

Ivy Lin, 21st November

Dutch National Ballet's second mixed bill at New York City Center ticked all the right boxes, showcasing the depth of talent across the whole company.

*****

Dutch National Ballet's opener in New York: meandering and unfocused

Ivy Lin, 20th November

Dutch National Ballet returning to New York after more than 40 years should have been thrilling. The opening program, whilst beautifully danced, was somewhat muted.

***11

Stikhina and Clayton shine in DNO's uneven Maid of Orleans

Eleanor Knight, 15th November

Director Dmitri Tcherniakov and a talented cast do everything to make Tchaikovsky’s opera work in Amsterdam, but problematic elements persist.

***11

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Nicolas Nguyen

Nicolas is a French Amsterdammer, e-commerce professional and a bit of an opera buff. His experience in the area of music is that of a dilettante. His passion for the opera and vocal music comes from his love for both music and languages which are so perfectly combined in these art forms.