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

Javier Camarena (Nadir)

Javier Camarena (Nadir) and Malin Hartelius (Leïla)

Les Pêcheurs de perles

By Laura Servidei, 02 July 2023

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“Camarena's... high tenor seemed perfect for the role, virile and powerful”

Reviewed at Opernhaus, Zurich on 29 June 2023

Bizet, Les Pêcheurs de perles

Zurich Opera

Nicholas Carter, Conductor

Jens-Daniel Herzog, Director

Mathis Neidhardt, Set Designer

Sibylle Gädeke, Costume Designer

Jürgen Hoffmann, Lighting Designer

Orchester der Oper Zürich

Zurich Opera Chorus

Ronny Dietrich, Dramaturgy

Étienne Dupuis, Zurga

Javier Camarena, Nadir

Ekaterina Bakanova, Leïla

Hubert Kowalczyk, Nourabad

Janko Kastelic, Choirmaster / chorus director

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

Handel’s Serse as a quirky modern tale in Zurich

Laura Servidei, 29th September

Christophe Dumaux shines as Arsamene in Nina Russi’s enjoyable production of Handel’s masterpiece revived at the Opernhaus Zürich under the baton of Enrico Onofri.

***11

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

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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.

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