Kaufmann and Davidsen lend star appeal to Grimes at the Staatsoper

By Chanda VanderHart, 06 February 2022

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“Kaufmann's... fisherman is a broken figure, driven mad by grief”

Reviewed at Wiener Staatsoper, Vienna on 5 February 2022

Britten, Peter Grimes

Vienna State Opera

Simone Young, Conductor

Christine Mielitz, Director

Gottfried Pilz, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera

Concert Association Vienna State Opera Chorus

Lise Davidsen, Ellen Orford

Jonas Kaufmann, Peter Grimes

Sir Bryn Terfel, Captain Balstrode

Noa Beinart, Auntie

Ileana Tonca, First Niece

Aurora Marthens, Second Niece

Thomas Ebenstein, Bob Boles

Wolfgang Bankl, Swallow

Stephanie Houtzeel, Mrs Sedley

Carlos Osuna, Rev Horace Adams

Erik Van Heyningen, Hobson

Martin Häßler, Ned Keene

Roland Giertz, Choreography

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Orsolya Gyárfás, 19th April

Marco Armiliato’s conducting thrills and Federica Lombardi's radiant Amelia stands out in the Wiener Staatsoper’s latest revival of Simon Boccanegra.

***11

Anna Netrebko shines in Vienna’s timeless Tosca

Laura Servidei, 18th April

In a world where opera productions often stray into the abstract, the Wiener Staatsoper’s Tosca offers a refreshing return to tradition – and Anna Netrebko delivers a splendid performance.

****1

Tragedy in the mirror: Minghella’s Madama Butterfly in Vienna

Laura Servidei, 14th March

Ermonela Jaho returns to one of her signature roles as Cio-Cio-San, delivering a searing and deeply nuanced portrayal.

****1

Too much and too little: Jan Lauwers’ restless Clemenza in Vienna

Chanda VanderHart, 12th March

The creative team behind the new Staatsoper Clemenza is unwilling to trust that Mozart’s opera is interesting enough to stand on its own.

***11

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**111

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Laura Servidei, 21st December

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***11

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Chanda VanderHart

Dr. Chanda VanderHart is a pianist, musicologist and creative who lives, works and plays in Vienna, Austria. For more on Chanda and her projects, click here.

Jonas Kaufmann and Lise Davidsen lend star appeal to Peter Grimes at the Staatsoper