Baroque Opera as a political satire / day
Baroque at the Latvian National Opera (LNOB) is not often heard. The previous production was Acid and Galateah In 2005, even older – the first production of baroque music at the Latvian National Opera Alchin 1998 – Rarely staged George Friedrich Handel Opera Flavio, king of Langobards The importance is marked by Sandis Voldiņš, Chairman of the Board of LNOB. The premiere – tomorrow.
The audience will explore this opera in a highly acclaimed staging of the Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival 2023, directed by the prominent countertenor Max Emmanuel Cenchi, creating the production with scenographer Helmut Stirmer, costume artist Korin Gramostan and light artist Roman. The director believes that the acoustics at the Latvian National Opera is even better.
Director allows you to sink deeper
« I really like to show Handel’s lesser -known works. He has written about 40 operas, but only five or six of them are regularly brought around the world – the rest are almost unknown. I believe that the opportunity to discover and stage these works is a real treasure. » « Director allows me to sink much deeper into work than when I just wait for someone else’s interpretation. It is quite common in the theater world – many actors are directors. Everyone has to understand how far he wants to go. Cenchi and Flavio’s role-player in Remie Bress-Fey are two of the most prominent counter-worlds in the world.
In the new production, Latvian audiences are also awaiting a reunion with the new generation of Latvian opera singers Catherine Paul Felsberg (Emily) and Daniil Pogoriles (Lotario), which have also gained international professional experience. For the first time, Anna Amanda Stolere (Teodata), soprano Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine (Vitidge) and tenor Martins Zvīgulis (Ugone) will play important roles at the Latvian National Opera. A large mimic ensemble will also take part in the performance.
Rare combination
« Flavio is a special work in opera history because it is based on the true facts that took place in the 17th century – before Handel’s time. Opera refers to Lord Bolingbrok’s case: he was convicted of murder, but later King Charles II was justified. The movement of the Catholic Stewarts was created by the Handeli on the Protestant side as a political satire, which was not just a lightweight in the Catholic. Max Emmanuel Cenchič, who has led to the promotion of little known Baroque operas as one of the basic tasks of the Bayreita Baroque Festival.
Langobard King Flavio craves the daughter of his advisor Theodat. His passion leads to a series of events in which love and political intrigue, tragedy and comedy intertwine. Opera Flavio, king of Langobards Handel wrote in 1723, counting on the vocal skill of Senesino and Francesco’s puppies in London. After repeated performances in 1732 Flavio, king of Langobards returned only in the 20th century.
Operas made by Cenchič Flavio, king of Langobards The production takes place in the era of King Charles II, represented by the Opera as the title -winning Flavio. The atmosphere of the Hampon Castle has been created on the stage and the performance is designed as a baroque film.
Meaningful and beautiful opera
« I am very pleased that Baroque music will be played again on the stage of the Latvian National Opera – George Friedrich Handel Opera Flavio, King of Langobards. This work is different from the rest of George Friedrich Handel music we know. In Alchina’s production, my student Sergei Jegger sang the counter -counter party, but Alexei Antonenko sang a soprano, he had a voice still after a fracture of his voice, « remembers Andris Veismanis.
« This production is marked by the fact that several of our young musicians debut. For the first time, Anna Amanda Stolere, who is entrusted to interpret Amanda’s role, will make their debut on the stage of the Latvian National Opera, including Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine Vitidge and Martins Zvīgulis in Ugone, Serenade. Carmina Buranabut for the first time on stage, « Sandris Voldiņš reveals. Andris Veismanis is also very happy about it, because » years go and our young artists go very slowly on the stage. «
« I am very happy to return home and visit. I just got a bachelor’s degree in Graz Music and Stage Arts. I am honored for the opportunity to sing and debut on the stage of our White House, » She started her way in music at the Riga Dome School, which she graduated from 2020, gaining a diploma of both the singer and the conductor, while still learning the piano. The call for professional growth then took to Graz. « Theodata plays an interesting role because she is somewhere in the middle between the tragic and comic. In essence, she is simple, naive, but also with some character. In my opinion, it is very interesting to portray such an image.
« Although I’ve been singing already Don in Juan and In a love drinkan adventure like a full performance on our stage boards from scratch will be for the first time, « says Daniil Pogorile, who will duplicate Lotario with Richard Miller. The singer laughs that the baritone curse is to sing fathers and kings, Skarpia from Tuscasswhich both die at the end of the second act. « This is my first attempt, the gateway to the dramatic repertoire, » says Bariton.
Opera Flavio, king of Langobards will be on view on May 21 and 23, June 1, as well as December 17, 19 and 21. It is advisable to visit the production for viewers from the age of 14.
