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Berlioz: Les Troyens
Berlioz’s epic masterpiece retells the magnificent saga of the aftermath of the Trojan War and the exploits of Aeneas. Rising tenor Bryan Hymel, in his Met debut, stars as the hero charged by the gods with the founding of the city of Rome. Susan Graham is Dido, Queen of Carthage, who becomes Aeneas’s lover, and Deborah Voigt sings Cassandra, the Trojan princess whose warnings about the impending destruction of Troy go unheeded. Francesca Zambello’s atmospheric production, featuring choreography by Doug Varone, is led by Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi.
Insights
Plot Summary
Hector Berlioz's epic opera Les Troyens (The Trojans) chronicles the tragic love of the Trojan princess Cassandra for the hero Aeneas and the downfall of Troy, as well as Aeneas's subsequent journey and founding of Rome. The opera is divided into two parts: 'The Fall of Troy' and 'The Trojans at Carthage', depicting the destruction of the ancient city and the arrival of the survivors in North Africa. It culminates in the doomed romance between Aeneas and the Carthaginian queen Dido, leading to her suicide and Aeneas's destined departure.
Critical Reception
This 2013 production of Berlioz's 'Les Troyens' at the Royal Opera House, directed by David McVicar, was widely acclaimed for its grandeur, powerful performances, and musical fidelity. Critics lauded the ambitious staging, the effective portrayal of the opera's epic scope, and the strong vocal performances from the principal cast, particularly Anna Caterina Antonacci as Cassandra and Dido. The production was seen as a significant achievement in opera, bringing Berlioz's monumental work to life with both dramatic intensity and musical richness.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its visually stunning and epic staging.
Commended for strong, emotionally resonant vocal performances.
Celebrated for its faithful and powerful musical interpretation of Berlioz's masterpiece.
Google audience: N/A
Fun Fact
David McVicar's production of 'Les Troyens' at the Royal Opera House was the first time the complete, five-act version of the opera had been staged there since 1980.
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