A “poem of blood and lust” reconsidered at Deutsche Oper Berlin

By Kevin Wells, 16 March 2021

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“white hot with passion”

Reviewed at Deutsche Oper, Berlin on 14 March 2021

Zandonai, Francesca da Rimini

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Carlo Rizzi, Conductor

Christof Loy, Director

Johannes Leiacker, Set Designer

Klaus Bruns, Costume Designer

Olaf Winter, Lighting Designer

Dorothea Hartmann, Dramaturgy

Sara Jakubiak, Francesca

Jonathan Tetelman, Paolo

Ivan Inverardi, Giovanni lo Sciancato

Dean Murphy, Il Giullare

Andrew Dickinson, Ser Toldo Berardengo

Karis Tucker, Adonella

Arianna Manganello, Altichiara

Mané Galoyan, Garsenda

Meechot Marrero, Biancofiore

Charles Workman, Malatestino dall’Occhio

Samuel Dale Johnson, Ostasio

Alexandra Hutton, Samaritana

Thomas Lehman, Il Torrigiano

Jeremy Bines, Choirmaster / chorus director

Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

L’italiana in Algeri in the wrestling ring at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 8th March

A classic opera buffa gets an update by Rolando Villazón to a produce a staging that celebrates the timeless vitality of Rossini’s comic imagination.

****1

Between ecstasy and abyss: Korngold’s Violanta at the Deutsche Oper

Zenaida des Aubris, 25th January

David Hermann directs a new production of Korngold’s teenage opera, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

****1

Giordano's Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 27th November

A new production of Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin warms up the cold German winter, featuring strong lead performances by Vida Miknevičiūtė and Jonathan Tetelman.

***11

Thalheimer’s directs a static new Berlin Tristan und Isolde

Zenaida des Aubris, 1st November

At the start of his farewell to Deutsche Oper Berlin, Sir Donald Runnicles shines with his orchestra, supplying the passion and tension withheld in Michael Thalheimer’s production.

****1

Anatomy of a love: Rebecca Saunders’ Lash at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 20th June

Nearing the close of the season, Deutsche Oper Berlin premieres Rebecca Saunders’ first opera Lash – Acts of Love, a visceral reflection on love and death.

*****

Upstairs, downstairs: Die Frau ohne Schatten at Deutsche Oper

Zenaida des Aubris, 26th January

Tobias Kratzer gives his third Strauss production in three seasons at Deutsche Oper Berlin another contemporary spin.

****1

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!

A “poem of blood and lust” reconsidered: Deutsche Oper Berlin’s Francesca da Rimini