Miracle in a wasteland: Das Wunder der Heliane

By John Johnston, 02 October 2017

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“Ausrine Stundyte sang a transcendent performance surmounting the vocal demands mesmerisingly”

Reviewed at Opera Vlaanderen, Antwerp, Antwerp on 1 October 2017

Korngold, Das Wunder der Heliane

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen

Alexander Joel, Conductor

David Bösch, Director

Christof Hetzer, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Aušrinė Stundytė, Heliane

Tómas Tómasson, Herrscher (Ruler)

Ian Storey, Fremder (Stranger)

Natascha Petrinsky, Botin (Messenger)

Markus Suihkonen, Pförtner (Doorman)

Denzil Delaere, Blinder Schwertrichter (Blind Judge)

Koor Opera Vlaanderen

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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John Johnston

John Johnston was a contributor to Bachtrack 2017-19. John was a true gentleman and lifelong opera "nut" who frequently travelled across Europe to catch performances, making regular pilgrimages to the Bayreuth Festival among others. His supreme knowledge and appreciation of voices meant he took to reviewing like the proverbial duck to water. We enjoyed his style and his insatiable appetite for catching rare operas and new productions wherever he could.

Miracle in a wasteland: Das Wunder der Heliane returns to Flanders