Der Rosenkavalier @Grand Théâtre de Genève 2023
Der Rosenkavalier ▪ Strauss ▪ 13 December 2023
Der Rosenkavalier is a comic opera in three acts written by Richard Strauss to an original German libretto by Hugo Von Hofmannsthal. It’s first performance was in Dresden in 1911 and it is notable for showcasing the female voice. It has four main characters, the aristocratic Marschallin; her seventeen-year-old lover, Count Octavian Rofrano; her ox-ish cousin, Baron Ochs and his perspective fiancée, Sophie Von Faninal, the daughter of Herr Von Faninal, her rich father.
At the Marschallin’s suggestion her lover Octavian acts as Ochs Rosenkavalier by presenting a ceremonial silver rose to his intended, Sophie. But in doing so Octavian and Sophie fall in love. They devise a comic plot to extricate Sophie from her engagement with the help of the Marschallin who then yields Octavian to Sophie. This comic opera incorporates weighty themes including infidelity, ageing, sexual predation and love.
The Viennese international film star, Christoph Waltz made his first foray into the operatic world with this production of Der Rosenkavalier in 2013 for the Flanders Opera which at that time was under the control of Aviel Cahn. Cahn, the recent Geneva Opera CEO, brings that superb production to Geneva, along with some of the finest Straussian voices singing today. Whilst the production didn’t quite reach the visual heights of Ravella’s Garsington production it allowed for a more contemporary visual experience and by concentrating on the performers acting, Waltz enabled his refined reading of the outstanding libretto to be centre stage for the audience. It is perhaps an understatement that as a result of the Chopard sponsorship all the artists wore jewellery of great note and beauty, and the ladies particularly, dresses to match. Outstanding.
Jonathan Nott had the enviable task of conducting this opening night. Whilst his interpretation of the music missed some important nuances during the performance, he was solid and worked to help the singers throughout. The Marschallin was the Swedish soprano Maria Bengtsson who reprised her role from the Flanders performance. Hers was a deeply touching characterisation with plush and sensual moments particularly with her interaction with the Octavian of the Canadian critically acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Michèle Losier whose rich voice produced a kaleidoscope of sublime sound. Octavian’s duets with Sophie sung by the French soprano Melissa Petit were outstanding as indeed was the trio “Hab’ mir’s gelobt” at the end of Act III. However, the performance that kept us on the edge of our comic seats was that by English bass-baritone, Matthew Rose in the role of Baron Ochs the. His was a thrilling sound with aristocratic intensity and tons of emotional weight. As he ran off stage at the end of Act III being chased by the hoards he owed money to, his speed of departure was almost nuclear! Von Faninal was the intellectual Danish baritone Bo Skovhus, and the rest of the cast were all well sung.
Congratulations to Geneva Opera for a stunning performance that will be long remembered. Catch it if you can!
David Buchler
