Justice in Geneva: musically appealing but missing its mark

Justice

Sir Willard White (Priest) and GTG Chrous

Axelle Fanyo (Mother of the dead child)

Justice, showing video of Serge Kakudji visiting victims

By David Karlin, 23 January 2024

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“the victims are indeed given a voice, but it’s not an eloquent voice”

Reviewed at Grand Théâtre de Genève, Geneva on 22 January 2024

Parra, Justice

Grand Théâtre de Genève

Titus Engel, Conductor

Milo Rau, Director

Anton Lukas, Set Designer

Cedric Mpaka, Costume Designer

Jürgen Kolb, Lighting Designer

Orchestre de la Suisse Romande

Chorus of the Grand Théâtre de Genève

Peter Tantsits, Director

Idunnu Münch, Director's Wife

Katarina Bradić, Driver

Sir Willard White, Priest

Simon Shibambu, Young Priest

Serge Kakudji, Boy

Lauren Michelle, Voice

Axelle Fanyo, Mother

Castor et Pollux in Geneva: among the stars, with shadows

Laura Servidei, 28th March

Rameau’s Castor et Pollux returns to the stage in a new production that brings together Baroque repertoire and contemporary theatrical aesthetics, conducted by Leonardo García Alarcón and performed by Cappella Mediterranea with an international cast.

***11

Bal Impérial & Boléro: multi-layered work challenges in Geneva

Daniel Pratt, 19th November

The premiere of Bal Impérial by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui challenges and interrogates to great effect in Geneva.

****1

Pelléas et Mélisande as a dark, shining fairy tale in Geneva

Elodie Olson-Coons, 26th October

A maximalist production of Pelléas et Mélisande at Geneva's Grand Théâtre shines, but tries a little too hard.

****1

Penthouse decadence for a shattering new Salome in Geneva

Mark Pullinger, 22nd January

The Grand Théâtre de Genève is certainly not risk-averse and Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó controversially translates the action to a penthouse bar in New York.

*****

An arthouse staging for Messiaen's testament of beauty in Geneva

Peter Quantrill, 11th April

Installation art sounds a dissonant note with the sublime harmony of Saint François d’Assise in Adel Abdessemed's creation at the Grand Théâtre de Genève.

****1

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui presents Idomeneo as a confused ballet in Geneva

Laura Servidei, 2nd March

The Grand Théâtre de Genève presents a new production of Mozart’s opera seria where the focus is all on dancing and rope twirling. Nevertheless, a good cast, led by Federica Lombardi as Elettra, manages to shine through.

**111

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Justice in Geneva: a musically appealing world premiere misses its polemic mark