Handel’s Serse as a quirky modern tale in Zurich

Raffaele Pe (Serse) and Miriam Kutrowatz (Atalanta)

Christophe Dumaux (Arsamene), Anna El-Khashem (Romilda) and Gregory Feldmann (Elviro)

Christophe Dumaux (Arsamene), Anna El-Khashem (Romilda) and Raffaele Pe (Serse)

Raffaele Pe (Serse)

By Laura Servidei, 01 October 2024

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“dark, velvety countertenor showcased flawless coloratura and exquisite, powerful high notes”

Reviewed at Opernhaus, Zurich on 29 September 2024

Handel, Serse (Xerxes)

Zurich Opera

Enrico Onofri, Conductor

Nina Russi, Director

Julia Katharina Berndt, Set Designer

Annemarie Bulla, Costume Designer

Hans-Rudolf Kunz, Lighting Designer

Orchestra La Scintilla Zurich

Ruth Stofer, Video

Kathrin Brunner, Dramaturgy

Raffaele Pe, Serse

Anna El-Khashem, Romilda

Miriam Kutrowatz, Atalanta

Christophe Dumaux, Arsamene

Noa Beinart, Amastre

Gregory Feldmann, Elviro

Miklós Sebestyén, Ariodate

Statistenverein am Opernhaus Zürich

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

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

All at sea: Herzog's nautical Pearl Fishers at Opernhaus Zürich

Laura Servidei, 29th June

The Opernhaus Zürich revives a 2011 production of Bizet’s second most famous opera, with Javier Camarena as Nadir.

***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.