Composed to a libretto by Georg Kaiser, Der Protagonist was Kurt Weill’s very first opera. Premiered on 27 March 1926 at the Semperoper in Dresden, the work is notable for its bold musical language – blending jazz influences, harmonic dissonances and syncopated rhythms. These stylistic traits sharply contrast with the romantic and lyrical tradition typically associated with La Fenice, where Italian giants like Verdi and Puccini so often reign supreme.

By programming a rarely performed German opera, this prestigious Italian house asserts its originality and places itself firmly among the ranks of international stages, in a country known for passionately defending its own operatic repertoire.

The choice also reflects La Fenice’s commitment to breathing life into the great 20th-century works – a refreshing move that might just stir the habits of its devoted audience.

In this captivating opera, each character embodies a “concept” rather than a fully fleshed-out individual. The title role of “The Protagonist” represents the artistic ideal, while another central figure – The Sister – symbolises love in its most human expression.

In the leading roles, Matthias Koziorowsky and Martina Welschenbach share the spotlight in this production running at the Teatro Malibran until 15 May 2025.

TO ATTEND THOSE PERFORMANCES AT LA FENICE, CLICK HERE!

Affiche de la production de Der Protagonist & l’intérieur du Teatro Malibran – c – La Fenice Website

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Far from being parochial, Venice’s Teatro La Fenice (Naples’ great rival at the time) is paying tribute to the master of opera by staging Il trionfo dell’onore, a comedic masterpiece and Scarlatti’s only known venture into opera buffa. From March 7 to 15, 2025, the Teatro Malibran in Venice will host, for the very first time in its history, a production directed by Stefano Vizioli.

The opera echoes the figure of Don Giovanni through the character of the young libertine Riccardo Albenori, who flits from one woman to another. The role is performed by a soprano in a trouser role—here, Giulia Bolcato. The stellar cast includes the expert direction of Enrico Onofri and the beautiful voices of Rosa Bove, Raffaele Pe, Giuseppina Bridelli, and Dave Monaco.

Beyond its comedic flair, the work holds significant historical and musical importance as it laid the foundations for a new model of opera buffa, with a coherent dramaturgical and musical structure and a preference for the Italian language over Neapolitan. Plenty of reasons to head to Venice—even with a libertine in tow!

To see the opera in Venice, click here!

Il trionfo dell’onore © Teatro La Fenice website

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