Belgium offers Paris a night of music and royalty

By Leopold Tobisch, 01 November 2012

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Reviewed at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris on 31 October 2012

Berlioz, Les Nuits d'été: Villanelle, Op.7 no.1

Franck, Symphony in D minor, Op.48

Franck, Stradella (overture, arr. Van Hove)

Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), K492: Deh vieni, non tardar

Verdi, Macbeth: Patria oppressa

Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo

Verdi, Nabucco: Gli arredi festivi

Verdi, Nabucco: Va Pensiero, chorus of the Hebrew slaves

Verdi, La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny): Overture

Sophie Karthäuser, Soprano

Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège

Chœur de Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège

Orchestra de Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège

Christian Arming, Conductor

Paolo Arrivabeni, Conductor

Gregory Kunde is splendid in Liege’s new Don Carlos

Ako Imamura, 5th February

The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège takes a risk in mounting a new, but traditional production of the more rarely heard French version of Verdi’s Don Carlos and succeeds with a great ensemble of singers.

****1

Under the eye of Horus: Aida in Liège

Mark Pullinger, 9th March

Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera's staging for Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège is stolid in direction, but Speranza Scappucci breathes life into Verdi's drama from the pit.

***11

Tragic dignity and pathos from José Cura's Otello

John Johnston, 29th June

Cura's powerful spinto tenor impressed from his opening “Esultate!” and left no doubt as to the Moor's authority.

****1

A Verdi pilgrimage to Liège for Jérusalem

Mark Pullinger, 17th March

Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera, artistic director at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège, presents at plucky new staging of Verdi's rarely seen Jérusalem.

****1

Maria Stuarda and Donizetti's "vil bastarda" in Liège

Simon Rees, 18th May

The recently-refurbished Opéra Royal de Wallonie dominates the Place de l’Opéra in the Belgian city of Liège, not only with its imposing columned portico but with its new fly-tower which rears above it.

****1

De la poudre aux yeux : fragile Traviata à l'Opéra de Liège

Irma Foletti, 21st September

La mise en scène de Thaddeus Strassberger s'efforce d'en mettre plein la vue mais elle ne rend pas justice au drame de Verdi, tandis qu'Irina Lungu déçoit dans le rôle-titre.

**111

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Leopold Tobisch

Leopold is currently working on his PhD, examining the music and politics in Paris during the events of May '68. A violinist, amateur photographer and overall musical omnivore, he is currently living in Paris in order to further his PhD research.