“This fast-paced narrative with its realistic dialogue between characters and its emotional arch almost gives one the impression that Giordano would have liked to make a feature film, yet did not yet have the necessary technology at his disposal. In fact, at the same time as this opera was being written and premiered, film was also being born.” With these words, director Philipp Stölzl also described an essential aspect of his production of Giordano’s Andrea Chenier at the Bavarian State Opera: the stage is presented as a “split screen” that simultaneously shows the “upper and lower” social classes during the French Revolution. This December 2017 revival of the production, conducted by Marco Armiliato, was recorded and recently released on DVD and Blu-ray on the Bavarian State Opera’s record label. “Jonas Kaufmann, Anja Harteros and George Petean shine in an imaginative yet faithful production by Philipp Stölzl. The then 78-year-old Brian Large proves once again that he is the best of all classical music videomakers.” (Merker online)
Live from Vienna: “Die Fledermaus” with Diana Damrau and Jonas Kaufmann
Jonas Kaufmann who has already sung the role of Eisenstein in concert at the Semperoper in Dresden will make his stage debut in this role in the New Year's Eve performance at the Vienna State Opera, with Diana Damrau (Rosalinde), Ilia Staple (Adele), Jörg Schneider (Alfred), Adrian Eröd (Falke), Jochen Schmeckenbecher (Frank), Daria Sushkova (Orlofsky), and Michael Niavarani (Frosch); Markus Poschner will conduct. The performance will be broadcast on several channels: from 6 p.m. via live streaming by the State Opera and on Ö1 in 5.1 surround sound, as well as from 8:15 p.m. on ORF III / Erlebnis Bühne. Photo: ORF / Hans Leitner