Christophe Rousset | News Music & Opera

Baroque ‘n Beaune Festival

admin_mowp — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:43:38 +0000

Baroque music lovers make a pilgrimage to Beaune to indulge in the rich offerings of the International Baroque Opera Festival.

Staying true to the vision of Anne Blanchard and the late Kader Hassissi, the festival’s new artistic director, Maximilien Hondemarck, has unveiled a program where regular attendees will once again find the great names of Baroque music among the prestigious guests.

Operas, oratorios, recitals, and sacred music follow one another over four festival weekends, set as always in the enchanting Hospices but also in Beaune’s most beautiful venues, which open their doors to music especially for the occasion.

Each weekend is centered around a period, a composer, or a theme—such as Music in the Time of Louis XIV. Three great composers are particularly celebrated: Alessandro Scarlatti, in honor of the 300th anniversary of his death, as well as Jean-Philippe Rameau and the ever-iconic Georg Friedrich Handel. With Bach also in the spotlight, leading artists have answered the call of Burgundy and its music, including conductors Christophe Rousset, Vincent Dumestre, and Thibault Noally, alongside singers Véronique Gens, Ambroisine Bré, Victoire Bunel, Camille Chopin, Marie Perbost, Marie Lys, Reinoud Van Mechelen, Laurence Kilsby, and many, many more!

In order to attend the event, go to our website by clicking here!

c – Affiche Festival Opera baroque Beaune 2025

The post Baroque ‘n Beaune Festival appeared first on News Music & Opera.

An Opera Seria – Anything but Serious at Teatro alla Scala

admin_mowp — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 11:52:41 +0000

From March 29 to April 9, 2025, laughter will replace tears at Teatro alla Scala with L’Opera seria, commedia per musica by Florian Leopold Gassmann.

This three-act opera is a hilarious parody of the 18th-century operatic world, gleefully mocking the behavior of all those involved through countless misunderstandings. The greed of producers, the pretentiousness of artists, the whims of divas, and their rivalries form the mechanics of a comedy that greatly entertains audiences. While the composer is not the most well-known of the Baroque era (even though he had a successful career at the Viennese court, where he was Salieri’s teacher), his librettist, on the other hand, enjoys a certain reputation. Ranieri de’ Calzabigi is, in fact, the figure behind the great operatic reform initiated with Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Gluck.

Both men sought to address simpler themes, moving away from the tradition embodied by Metastasio, with his triumphant heroes and moralistic tales. By tackling a contemporary subject, L’Opera seria plays a role in the aesthetic debate of its time, offering a comedic portrayal of the serious melodrama world, balancing between the sublime and the ridiculous.

The plot, despite its misunderstandings, is relatively simple. After an exchange of pleasantries, the poet Delirio and the musician Sospiro fail to agree on the form of the new opera. The impresario Fallito intervenes, displeasing not only the two men but also the singers. After rehearsals, the performance of the pompous opera provokes mockery and comments from the audience. Only the intervention of the choreographer and the ballet corps saves the evening. In the end, the prima donnas argue, and it is revealed that the impresario has fled with the cash!

The task of amusing La Scala’s audience falls to the brilliant director Laurent Pelly, with a first-class cast—La Scala standard, of course! The renowned conductor Christophe Rousset will lead Les Talens Lyriques along with the Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, performing on period instruments. Among the singers, Julie Fuchs and Pietro Spagnoli will undoubtedly make full use of their comedic talents. A delightful evening awaits at La Scala in Milan!

To attend performances of this opera, click here!

Christophe Rousset – c – Eric Larrayadieu

The post An Opera Seria – Anything but Serious at Teatro alla Scala appeared first on News Music & Opera.

Orlando’s Madness at the Châtelet

admin_mowp — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 10:43:15 +0000

Since Olivier Py took over its reins, the Théâtre du Châtelet has been reconnecting with successful productions. Following the frenzy of Les Misérables, a true hero in the grip of madness will grace the legendary Parisian stage from January 23 to February 2, 2025. Handel’s powerful opera Orlando will be conducted by Christophe Rousset (a prestigious new regular at the venue after a revival of Così fan tutte last season) leading Les Talens Lyriques, with a stellar Handelian cast. Siobhan Stagg, Elizabeth DeShong, Giulia Semenzato, and Riccardo Novaro will accompany the madness of Orlando, portrayed by Katarina Bradić. The highly anticipated staging by Jeanne Desoubeaux, with its museum-like aesthetic, promises to captivate.

Get your tickets for Orlando

(c) Théâtre du Châtelet

The post Orlando’s Madness at the Châtelet appeared first on News Music & Opera.

Is War Declared at the Elbphilharmonie?

admin_mowp — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:00:19 +0000

After the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists parted ways with their founding conductor John Eliot Gardiner this summer, Gardiner has decided to form a new ensemble, The Constellation. The situation wouldn’t seem so peculiar if Gardiner hadn’t managed to insert himself into the 2024-2025 season at the Elbphilharmonie—with the same program, but one week earlier. On December 7, 2024, audiences will hear Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit à quatre voix and Bach’s Cantatas BWV 36 and BWV 110, conducted by Gardiner with his new ensemble. A week later, on December 14, the same works will be performed by the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists as originally scheduled, but this time under the baton of Christophe Rousset, replacing the controversial conductor. Who to choose in case of a musical divorce?

Discover all upcoming performances at the Elbphilharmonie

Monteverdi Choir – English Baroque Soloists © Bruno Moussier

The post Is War Declared at the Elbphilharmonie? appeared first on News Music & Opera.

Christophe Rousset and Thomas Eitler-de Lint Have Choirs in Common

admin_mowp — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:34:40 +0000

Two of the most famous choirs in Europe have just announced some changes. The Bayreuth Festival has recruited Thomas Eitler-de Lint, formerly of the Oper Leipzig, to take over the direction of the famous choir at Germany’s greatest festival. As the job is seasonal, Eitler-de Lint will retain his duties in Leipzig. In England, the Monteverdi Choir and its counterparts, the English Baroque Soloists, announced this summer that they were parting ways with their founder, John Eliot Gardiner. After acts of violence that made headlines last year, the conductor has resigned. Christophe Rousset has been chosen to lead a major tour scheduled for Christmas and other concerts in 2025.

Discover Christophe Rousset’s upcoming performances

Christophe Rousset © Eric Larraydieu ; Thomas Eitler de Lint © Sylvio Hoffmann

The post Christophe Rousset and Thomas Eitler-de Lint Have Choirs in Common appeared first on News Music & Opera.

Théâtre des Champs-Élysées – 2024-2025

admin_mowp — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:00:26 +0000

The 2024-2025 season at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is special for many reasons. It marks the final season curated by Michel Franck, the vibrant artistic director who has been at the helm since 2010. To celebrate, he has prepared a dazzling lineup that will delight all music lovers. Some events are bound to be highly sought after, so it is particularly important to book tickets in advance this season, especially for the operas.

The 2024-2025 season at the TCE encapsulates Michel Franck’s artistic choices. He has always been adept at presenting a wide range of repertoires, with perhaps a slight preference for baroque music. Opera enthusiasts are especially spoiled this season with offerings like Handel‘s magnificent masterpiece, Semele, featuring the beloved soprano Pretty Yende. This new production by Olivier Mears, directed by Emmanuelle Haïm, promises to be a highlight. France’s premier tenor, the dynamic Benjamin Bernheim, will perform his first Parisian Werther, staged by Christof Loy, alongside the impressive mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti. Viotti also stars in another major production, Der Rosenkavalier, an eagerly anticipated event with Marlis Petersen and Regula Mühlemann.

A noteworthy event is the revival of Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, directed by Olivier Py. Patricia Petibon, who previously moved audiences as Blanche de la Force, now takes on the role of Mère Marie, symbolizing the continuity and transmission of operatic history. The season also features acclaimed soprano Anna Netrebko, and eagerly anticipated recitals by Philippe Jaroussky, Pretty Yende, and Jakub Józef Orliński.

Concert versions of operatic works will undoubtedly generate the most excitement. Highlights include Julien Chauvin’s presentation of Handel‘s La Resurrezione and Jephtha with an outstanding cast including Michael Spyres, Joyce DiDonato, Mélissa Petit, and Francesco Corti. A rare performance of Handel’s oratorio Deborah will be conducted by Ton Koopman. Mozart’s works are also prominent, with the Da Ponte trilogy entrusted to Alexis Kossenko (Don Giovanni), Giovanni Antonini (Le nozze di Figaro), and Marc Minkowski (Così fan tutte). Another beautiful Mozart opera in concert form, Mitridate, re di Ponto, will be conducted by Christophe Rousset. Notable performances include a Requiem featuring Lisette Oropesa, Eve-Maud Hubeaux, Cyrille Dubois, and Nahuel di Pierro.

Among the season’s highlights are Weber‘s romantic opera Freischütz, conducted by Antonello Manacorda with Charles Castronovo and Golda Schultz, and Rossini‘s Le Comte Ory with Cyrille Dubois. Elsa Dreisig will star as a divine Alcina in Handel’s opera, alongside Emily D’Angelo, Sandrine Piau, and Alex Rosen. Andrea Chénier by Giordano will feature the stellar voices of Riccardo Massi, Anna Pirozzi, Enkhbat Amartuvshin, and Sophie Pondjiclis. Audiences can also look forward to Marie-Nicole Lemieux in Rossini‘s L’Italiana in Algeri and Sabine Devieilhe in both Mozart and Boulez, celebrating his centennial.

The dance segment is equally unmissable, with performances by prominent choreographers such as Akram Khan, Carolyn Carlson, Mats Ek, and Sharon Eyal, along with an emotional holiday appearance by the National Opera Ballet of Ukraine. The season will be filled with major concerts and events. Martha Argerich opens the season with Lahav Shani and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Renowned pianists like Elisabeth Leonskaja, Evgeny Kissin, Grigory Sokolov, Mikhail Pletnev, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Nikolai Lugansky, Nelson Goerner, David Fray, Adam Laloum, Benjamin Grosvenor, and a new generation of stars including Jonathan Fournel, Bruce Liu, Dmitry Masleev, Jan Lisiecki, and the Jussen brothers will grace the stage. Other notable soloists include Gidon Kremer, Tabea Zimmermann, Thibault Cauvin with the pop artist and guitarist -M-, Sol Gabetta, Gautier Capuçon, Emmanuel Pahud, Nemanja Radulovic with his Ensemble Double Sens, and Edgar Moreau performing Bach. The loyalty of great conductors like Zubin Mehta, Daniele Gatti, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra underscores the exceptional nature of the 2024-2025 season, making it a must-see. Reservations are now open for all the events of this extraordinary season!

Get your tickets now for the new 2024-2025 season at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées

The post Théâtre des Champs-Élysées – 2024-2025 appeared first on News Music & Opera.

Comeback of Lully after Gluck at the Opéra Comique

admin_mowp — Thu, 16 May 2024 08:00:59 +0000

The terrible Armide has inspired many opera composers of genius. The Opéra Comique welcomes the heroine back from 17 to 25 June 2024, but it’s not the same music. Music lovers who heard Gluck‘s Armide last season will be able to draw comparisons with Lully‘s Armide, with the same libretto by Philippe Quinault and the same sets by Bruno de Lavenère. Director Lilo Baur is back at it again, with a different score and a completely new cast. Ambroisine Bré and Cyrille Dubois take on the roles of Armide and Renaud under the eagerly awaited direction of the great specialist Christophe Rousset at the helm of his Talens Lyriques.

Discover Armide by Lully at the Opéra Comique

The post Comeback of Lully after Gluck at the Opéra Comique appeared first on News Music & Opera.

Thésée versus Médée in Europe

admin_mowp — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 09:00:48 +0000

After Psyché in 2022, Christophe Rousset, the great specialist in Lully’s operas, returns to Thésée, the composer’s third lyric tragedy. With the Talens Lyriques and the Namur Chamber Choir, the conductor has brought together the finest French singers with Mathias Vidal and above all the great voice of Karine Deshayes, who will perform as the role of Medea, in a concert version at the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna on 1 March 2023, at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels on 12 March and finally at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées on 22 March.

Your tickets here

(c) Talens Lyriques – DR

The post Thésée versus Médée in Europe appeared first on News Music & Opera.

All of Schubert at the Châtelet

admin_mowp — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 09:00:30 +0000

The great baroque conductor Christophe Rousset, who is very much on top of his game at the head of his Talens Lyriques, is conducting a complete set of Schubert’s symphonies at the Théâtre du Châtelet in three concerts, on 27 January 2023 (Symphonies Nos. 2, 4 & 6), 29 January (Symphonies Nos. 1, 3 & 8) and 31 January (Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9). This All-Schubert’s symphonies concert is performed for the first time by the Talens Lyriques.

Your tickets here

Christophe Rousset (c) Les Talens Lyriques

The post All of Schubert at the Châtelet appeared first on News Music & Opera.