Harteros and Kaufmann shine in Munich Forza

By Ako Imamura, 29 July 2014

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Reviewed at Nationaltheater, Munich on 28 July 2014

Verdi, La forza del destino

Bavarian State Opera

Asher Fisch, Conductor

Martin Kušej, Director

Martin Zehetgruber, Set Designer

Anja Harteros, Leonora

Nadia Krasteva, Preziosilla

Jonas Kaufmann, Don Alvaro

Ludovic Tézier, Don Carlo

Vitalij Kowaljow, Padre Guardiano, Marquis of Calatrava

Francesco Petrozzi, Trabuco

Renato Girolami, Fra Melitone

Jones’ wicked Hänsel und Gretel returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper

Mark Pullinger, 6th December

Even without a gingerbread house, there’s enough wickedness in Richard Jones’ staging of Humperdinck’s opera for sweet tooths to savour.

****1

No fairy tale: Kušej’s Rusalka works with devastating force in Munich

Orsolya Gyárfás, 26th July

Asmik Grigorian leads a searing performance in Martin Kušej’s 15-year-old, yet ever-fresh, outstanding production of Dvořák's opera.

****1

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Laura Servidei, 4th January

August Everding’s Magic Flute is revived in Munich with a solid cast for the enjoyment of all ages.

***11

And they were the most divine gods: Das Rheingold in Munich

Phillip Richter, 3rd November

Tobias Kratzer's prelude to this new Ring cycle exceeds all expectations and scores a musical-theatrical success.

*****

All play and no work: an exuberant Figaro in Munich

Orsolya Gyárfás, 17th July

Evgeny Titov's new production is heavy on the jokes and light in substance, but delights anyway thanks to its high-class cast.

****1

Waltzing masks and masquerades in Kosky’s new Fledermaus

Zenaida des Aubris, 23rd December

Expect sequins and swinging chandeliers in the Australian director's new Fledermaus at the Bayerische Staatsoper.

****1

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Ako Imamura

Atsuko (Ako) Imamura is a retired investment banker in New York City. Born in Japan, she trained as cultural anthropologist in the US before turning to ﬁnance. She now spends her time attending opera and classical music concerts in New York and in Europe. Wagner is her favorite opera composer.

'Dream pair' of Harteros and Kaufmann shines in Munich revival of La forza del destino