A fable without morality: Eötvös' Sleepless fascinates and unsettles

By Elodie Olson-Coons, 30 March 2022

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“it is a harrowing without a resurrection, a tragedy without catharsis”

Reviewed at Grand Théâtre de Genève, Geneva on 29 March 2022

Eötvös, Sleepless (Swiss premiere)

Grand Théâtre de Genève

Peter Eötvös, Conductor

Kornél Mundruczó, Director

Monika Pormale, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Felice Ross, Lighting Designer

Kata Weber, Dramaturgy

Victoria Randem, Alida

Linard Vrielink, Asle

Katharina Kammerloher, Mother / Midwife

Hanna Schwarz, Old Woman

Sarah Defrise, Girl

Jan Martiník, Innkeeper

Tómas Tómasson, Man in Black

Roman Trekel, Boatman

Siyabonga Maqungo, Jeweller

Arttu Kataja, Asleik

Orchestre de la Suisse Romande

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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Elodie Olson-Coons

Originaire de Lorraine, Elodie Olson-Coons a fait ses études littéraires à Cambridge. Mezzo-soprano et pianiste, elle est particulièrement intéressée par la musique contemporaine et vocale.