Debussy rebuild fails the House of Usher

By Kurt Gottschalk, 01 March 2021

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“the devil, so to speak, is in the prose, not the details”

Reviewed at Opera Vlaanderen, Antwerp, Antwerp on 27 February 2021

Various, Usher (Debussy/Annelies Van Parys)

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen

Marit Strindlund, Conductor

Philippe Quesne, Director, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer, Choreography

Christin Haschke, Costume Designer

Ivan Thirion, Roderick Usher

Alexandra Büchel, Lady Madeline

Martin Gerke, L'ami

Daniel Arnaldos, Le médecin

Symfonisch Orkest Opera Ballet Vlaanderen

Rites in Antwerp: a towering triple bill for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen

Elsa Giovanna Simonetti, 17th January

In Rites, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen confirm its status as a leading contemporary dance company with a formidable triple bill, technically demanding for both dancers and orchestra.

****1

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s Parsifal: digital drama, celestial singing

Simon Thompson, 14th October

Digital projections make Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s Parsifal seem alienating and strange, but the singing is terrific and the orchestra sounds sensational.

***11

A powerhouse: Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Shechter’s Grand Finale

Deborah Weiss, 26th September

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen powers its way through an exciting revamp of Hofesh Shechter’s inimitable Grand Finale.

****1

Marcos Morau’s Romeo + Juliet: lessons in volatility

Deborah Weiss, 3rd April

An unconventional dance take on Prokofiev's ubiquitous ballet for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Antwerp is not for the faint-hearted.

***11

Grotesque and gripping: Opera Ballet Vlaanderen unveils a new Salome

Mark Pullinger, 29th December

Not a great day for the patriarchy: Ersan Mondtag's gripping new Salome emphasises grotesque caricatures and ends with a bloody, plot-twisting coup d’état.

****1

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen: how to win over an audience

Deborah Weiss, 13th December

Two very diverse works that complement each other and show off the depth of talent within Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.

****1

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.