“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)
Turandot on television and radio
Lots of bravos at the Vienna State Opera: Asmik Grigorian in the title role, Jonas Kaufmann as Calaf and Kristina Mkhitaryan as Liu as well as the chorus and orchestra of the Vienna State Opera under the direction of Marco Armiliato received rapturous applause at the premiere of the new production of Puccini's Turandot (December 7, directed by Claus Guth). The performance will be broadcast on tv: ORF 2 on December 16 at 20:15. The radio recording will follow on January 6 at 19:30 on Ö1. photo: Monika Rittershaus
