Opéra français

While Opéra National de Paris scheduled ZERO operas in French for its entire 2010-2011 season (sic!), De Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam opened its new season with a new production of Les Vêpres siciliennes, directed by Christof Loy [with lots of chairs and a theatrical language focused on gestures and interactions among characters - pics here]. Neither the FT reviewer nor Fomalhaut-blogger seem to have liked the show but both are quite complimentary about its musical quality. 

ENO opened its season by a new production of Faust, co-produced with The Met, and directed by Des McAnuff.  FT slashed it, The Independent disliked its Broadway style but loved the singers, and The Telegraph was pretty positive about everything. ENO proposes various discounts for the remaining shows (c.f. here).

OOOPS!  Roberto Alagna and Béatrice Uria Monzon as Don José and Carmen in Barcelona (©elpais.com)

Calixto Bieito's production of Carmen opened the season 2010-2011 in Barcelona a couple of days ago. The premiere was apparently electrifying with only a few boos for Calixto, however drowned in loads of Bravo's. Katharina Wagner was at the premiere and after the show said she loved it.  Roberto Alagna was très en voix. To see him taking part in a show like this is surprising but certainly props-worthy [more pics here].  Spanish reviewers are exulted, as well as our Mei.

Yours Truly will see this production, so more on that next week...
[I owe you my take on Bieito's smashing Aida that I saw in Basel last Sunday -- a few sentences hopefully tonight] 

Trailers for all three productions are appended below.



Les Vêpres siciliennes @ DNO



Faust @ ENO (it's sung in English)


Carmen @ GTL (this trailer refers to the same production mounted a few years back on a smaller stage in Maastricht/The Netherlands)