“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)
Awards for Liszt and Korngold
Berlin, October 9, 2022. At the Opus Klassik Gala in the Konzerthaus, Jonas Kaufmann accepted two trophies this year: the first he received for Singer of the Year for his Album Liszt - Freudvoll und leidvoll; the second for the Opera Recording of the Year, Korngold's Die Tote Stadt (released on DVD and Blu-ray). Kaufmann accepted this award on behalf of Kirill Petrenko, the Bavarian State Orchestra and his colleagues; the Bavarian State Opera production, which also recently won a Gramophone Award features Kaufmann in the extremely demanding role of Paul.
To see the recording of the Opus Klassik Gala, click here.
