All tagged David McVicar

Agrippina – Handel – Metropolitan Opera New York

Agrippina – Handel – Metropolitan Opera New York

David Buchler
Metropolitan Opera

It is over 300 years since the premiere of this operatic masterpiece by Handel, who was 24 years old at the time of composition. It depicts a Roman story of some 2,000 years ago, satirising the politicians of that day. But of course in this very modern interpretation of this piece by the Director David McVicar, whilst the times have changed the world certainly hasn’t. The Metropolitan Opera’s General Manager Peter Gelb said ‘Agrippina is a dark comedy about corrupt leaders who lie and manipulate in their quest to stay in power. We are grateful to the White House for making Agrippina feel more immediate’.

Andrea Chenier – Giordano – Royal Opera House

Andrea Chenier – Giordano – Royal Opera House

David Buchler
Royal Opera House

Umberto Giordano’s Andrea Chenier, often regarded as the poor relation of the 19th century Verismo operas, had its first revival at the ROH since David McVicar’s 2015 controversial new production.  This opera, first performed in 1896 at La Scala Milan, is a story based on the life of the French poet, Andrea Chenier, who was executed during the French revolution in 1794. 

Salome at the Royal Opera House

Salome at the Royal Opera House

David Buchler
Royal Opera House

If this is how the Royal Opera House is starting 2018, then we are in for a vintage year. 

 

Oscar Wilde’s original French play Salome, translated into German all in one Act, is just under 2 hours of intense brutality and unyielding musical brilliance, built on a theme of eroticism and murder.  It was first performed in Dresden in 1905 and Gustav Mahler himself wanted to conduct the opera in Vienna, but in fact the censors refused consent and did not relent until 1918.  It was initially banned in London until performed at Covent Garden under the baton of Thomas Beecham in 1910. 

Rigoletto at the Royal Opera House

Rigoletto at the Royal Opera House

David Buchler
Royal Opera House

If the French had anything to do with it, Rigoletto would never have been performed.  Based on Victor Hugo’s play ‘Le roi s’amuse’, where Verdi described the subject matter of the play as ‘immense’, it was highly controversial as it depicted the King of France as an immoral and cynical womaniser.  As a result, the opera had to undergo many changes before the censors allowed it to be performed, opening at La Fenice in Venice in 1851.  Even though the King of France was deleted from the opera – he was converted to the Duke of Mantua – the opera was banned in France and not performed there until 1882.