Bachtrack logo
What's on
All eventsConcertsOperaDanceKids eventsMasterclassesCompetitionsFestivals
Reviews
All reviewsConcert reviewsOpera reviewsDance reviews
Articles
All articlesFeaturesInterviewsOpinionPlaylists
News
Video
Video homeAll videoStreamed eventsConcertsOperaDanceKids eventsMasterclassesPublishers
Site
About usContact usLink to usConditions of useCookiesPrivacy
Young artists
Travel
EventsReviewsArticlesVideo

Bodies inside a box: a colourless Fidelio in Zurich

By Sarah Batschelet, 04 December 2017
Loading, please wait...
See full listing
Reviewed at Opernhaus, Zurich on 3 December 2017
Programme
Beethoven, Fidelio
Performers
Zurich Opera
Simone Young, Conductor
Andreas Homoki, Director
Henrik Ahr, Set Designer
Barbara Drosihn, Costume Designer
Elza van den Heever, Leonore
Klaus Florian Vogt, Florestan
Martin Gantner, Don Pizarro
Oliver Widmer, Don Fernando
Christof Fischesser, Rocco
Mélissa Petit, Marzelline
Spencer Lang, Jaquino
Jonathan Abernethy, First prisoner
Orchester der Oper Zürich
Zurich Opera Chorus
More Opera reviews
A Baroque Netflix evening: Zurich’s star-studded Giulio Cesare
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
A Rosenkavalier in vivid hues opens the Zurich Opera season
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
Handel’s Serse as a quirky modern tale in Zurich
Laura Servidei, 29th September

Christophe Dumaux shines as Arsamene in Nina Russi’s enjoyable production of Handel’s masterpiece revived at the Opernhaus Zürich under the baton of Enrico Onofri. 

***11
Anna Pirozzi shines as a queen bee Turandot
Laura Servidei, 3rd July

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

**111
A feast for the eyes and ears: Lehár’s Merry Widow in Zurich
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
Werther in the sky at Opernhaus Zürich
Laura Servidei, 23rd January

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

***11
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Andreas HomokiBarbara DrosihnChristof FischesserElza van den HeeverFidelioHenrik AhrJonathan AbernethyKlaus Florian VogtLudwig van BeethovenMartin GantnerMélissa PetitOliver WidmerOrchester der Oper ZürichSimone YoungSpencer LangZurich OperaZurich Opera Chorus
Related articles
Loading image...
The world over: Bachtrack’s Classical Music Statistics 2025
Loading image...
Zurich Opera marks end of an era with slew of new productions
Loading image...
Jam packed with new productions: Zurich Ballet and Opera’s new season
Loading image...
A struggle for harmony: Beethoven’s Fidelio at Dutch National Opera
Sarah Batschelet
Sarah Batschelet
Sarah Batschlelet, long based in Switzerland, took a degree in Art History from Smith College, Northampton, Massachuetts, and lives as a freelance writer and editor near Zurich.