January 29, 2011: Andrea Chenier in Berlin

2011-01-29 Andrea Chenier (Giordano), Deutsche Oper Berlin

Andrea Chenier = Salvatore Licitra
Carlo Gérard = Seng Hyoun Ko
Maddalena de Coigny = Maria Guleghina
Bersi = Diana Axentii
Comtessa de Coigny = Katarina Bradic
Madelon = Liane Keegan
Roucher = Ben Wager
Pietro Fléville = Krzysztof Szumanski
L'abbé = Peter Maus
Fouquier Tinville = Hyung-Wook Lee
Mathieu = Nathan De’Shon Myers
L'Incroyable = Burkhard Ulrich
Schmidt = Seth Carico
Majordomo = Sergio Vitale
Dumas = Sergio Vitale

James Allen Gähres, conductor

Inszenierung - John Dew
Spielleitung - Anja Nicklich
Bühne - Peter Sykora
Kostüme - Jose-Manuel Vazquez
Chöre - Thomas Richter
Choreographische Mitarbeit - Klaus Beelitz

Maria Guleghina sang a wonderful Maddalena di Coigny. It was brave to do so when suffering from bronchitis. But I really wish she would take better care of herself and not think too much about her fans. We do love her well enough to see her healthy and sound even if we must suffer not see her onstage but another soprano. Get well and sleep well!

I worried about Salvatore Licitra as Chenier and about the baritone who sang Gerard but they only got better and better. The tenor used his lyrical instrument to the fullest. He gave a really beautifully sung Andrea Chenier. The baritone did not seem to have the right powerful voice in act 1 but that soon changed. He gave a really thrilling Nemico della patria. It was a truly believable duet between Gerard and Maddalena.

I loved the Regie. It was traditional and naturalistic at the same time as it was innovating using the space to maximize the history at the same time as it was minimalistic.

After the opera I got the change to give Maria Guleghina my get well wishes. Sleep well, my favorite Diva! Take care!!!!

OD Travel + Photos

Original blog post

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com If you want to see more photos from my OperaDuets Travels, go to www.operaduetsphotos.com