Tobias Kratzer
Beethoven’s only opera is a masterpiece, an uplifting story of risk and triumph. In this new production, conducted by Antonio Pappano, David Butt Philip plays the political prisoner Florestan, and Lise Davidsen his wife Leonore (disguised as ‘Fidelio’) who daringly sets out to rescue him. Set in strong counterpoint are the ingredients of domestic intrigue, determined love and the cruelty of an oppressive regime.
Beethoven’s only opera is a masterpiece, an uplifting story of risk and triumph. In this new production, conducted by Antonio Pappano, Jonas Kaufmann plays the political prisoner Florestan, and Lise Davidsen his wife Leonore (disguised as ‘Fidelio’) who daringly sets out to rescue him. Set in strong counterpoint are the ingredients of domestic intrigue, determined love and the cruelty of an oppressive regime. The music is transcendent throughout and includes the famous Act I Quartet, the Prisoners’ Chorus and Florestan’s impassioned Act II cry in the darkness and vision of hope. Tobias Kratzer’s new staging brings together the dark reality of the French Revolutionary ‘Terror’ and our own time to illuminate Fidelio’s inspiring message of shared humanity.
Based on Oscar Wildes story The Birthday of the Infanta, Zemlinskys single-act opera Der Zwerg is the tragic tale of a dwarf who is presented at court, falls in love with the beautiful Donna Clara, but is ultimately forced to see himself as others see him and to die of a broken heart. Preceded by Schoenbergs Accompaniment to a Cinematographic Scene, Op. 34, Zemlinskys Romantic score is full of psychological intrigue. Is Der Zwerg a critique of societys superficiality? Is it the composers self-portrait in his doomed affair with Alma Schindler? Director Tobias Kratzers stunning, transparent production creates a space in which each character is thrown into sharp relief in this fine, noble and melancholy work.
Having disposed of his enemies, Lucio Silla is now all-powerful. He wants to marry Giunia, but underestimates how much she hates him. After all, he has not only had her father murdered, but has also banished her beloved, Cecilio. At first, Giunia is misled into thinking that Cecilio is dead; with the help of Cinna, however, the lovers manage to meet up again. The power of love and Cinna’s machinations finally persuade Silla to relinquish his power.
Die Oper von den Schwetzinger Festspielen ist im Rahmen des 3sat-Festspielsommers 2011 zu sehen. Ab 2. Juni besucht 3sat große Klassik-Musikfestivals und zeigt renommierte Orchester und Dirigenten sowie Solisten der Weltelite zur besten Sendezeit. Man kann sich durchaus fragen, warum Willibald Gluck zur Hochzeit des späteren habsburgischen Kaisers Joseph II. mit Maria Josepha von Bayern 1765 ausgerechnet eine Oper rund um die Entfremdung zwischen Liebenden und Egoismus komponierte. In der Oper versucht Odysseus' Sohn Telemaco, den Helden von Troja zurückzuholen. Odysseus wird jedoch von Circe, die Odysseus liebt, gewaltsam festgehalten. In der Koproduktion der Schwetzinger Festspiele mit dem Theater Basel und dem Staatstheater Nürnberg singen unter anderen David DQ Lee, Tomasz Zagórski und Agneta Eichenholz. Es spielt das Freiburger Barockorchester unter der Leitung von Anu Tali.
