September 19, 2003: Herodiade in Vienna

2003-09-19 Herodiade (Massenet), Wiener Staatsoper

Herodiade = Agnes Baltsa
Herode = Philippe Rouillon
Jean = José Cura
Salomé = Barbara Haveman
Phanuel = Ferruccio Furlanetto
Vitellius = Markus Nieminen
Oberpriester = Janusz Monarcha
Eine Stimme = John Nuzzo

Jun Märkl, conductor



Wlener Staatsoper
Freitag, 19. september 2003
30. Aufführung in dieser Inszenierung

Hérodiade
Oper in dreizehn Bildern von Paul Milliet, Henri Grémont und Angelo Zanardini
Musik von Jules Massenet

Dirigent Jun Märkl
Szenische Konzeption
und Gestaltung Richard Bletschacher
Hermann Nitsch
Bühnenbild und Kostüme Hermann Nitsch
ChorleitungErnst Dunshirn

., .
Tempeltänzerinnen und Schwerttänzer
Corps de ballet

Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Chor der Wiener Staatsoper

Balletteleven der Wiener Staatsoper Bühnenorchester der Wiener Staatsoper

Give this opera OMO color

This is the 3rd time I saw this opera in this production. Unfortunately the production just a little less then 10 years old is weary. The colors needed brightening up, some of the scenography definitely needed a new touch. But worst of all was the lack of timing and a director to strengthened the drama and give the tension the drama needed. A more traditional approach would have helped, especially the costumes.

If the conductor had not taking some seconds here and there, when it did not need it. It felt like patched up, like listening to an opera on a cd-player, who put 1 second air between each track.

Just tighten the drama, it is a very dramatic opera, French, yes, but it does have drama even if this an opera for the beautiful voices.

Luckily Jose Cura as Jean, not bothered by the production, he sang out, clear and ringing being the Prophet Jean. The opera rose up every time Jose Cura was there.

Agnes Baltsa as Herodiade was wonderful, but the partnership of Philippe Rouillon gave her no support. Her voice found her strength, her acting was perfect. And when with Phanuel (F. Furlanetto) and Salome (B. Haveman), her ability shone out. Wonderful in the ensembles.

Ferruccio Furlanetto as Phanuel was great, he was better in 1995, when Herodiade was almost new. But growing in stature all the time.

Barbara Haveman was great as Salome. Good in the beginning, fantastic in the end of the opera.

Philippe Rouillon as Herode, was a disappointment, his acting bad, even his voice was good enough.

Markus Nieminen as Vitellius was good in the ensemble and elsewhere. High Priest: Januszch Monarcha, a good voice.

The Voice, John Nuzzo, was not in a beautiful voice.

(This is only my opinion of the performances, not THE TRUTH, but my opinion at the time)

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