Generalprobe, Le Rossignol/Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011

Today it has been the final rehearsal  for the concert version of Le Rossignol/Iolanta, framed as a Benefit Concert for Japan.

The highlight of the show was Tchaikovsky's Iolanta, with Anna Netrebko singing the title role and Piotr Beczala as Graf Vaudemont. Anna was absolutely stunning! Despite the fact that it was in concert form, Anna was also acting on the stage. The rest of the cast was also at a very good level, in particular Alexei Markov, Evgeny Nikitin and John Relyea. The audience gave a standing ovation at the end of the performance.

After the show Anna with some friends, including conductor Michael Güttler, went to have a drink at the Triangel. Erwin Schrott, who was singing at Le Nozze di Figaro, joined the group later on.


PROGRAMME

PETER ILJITSCH TSCHAIKOWSKI • Iolanta
Lyrische Oper in einem Akt

IGOR STRAWINSKY • Le Rossignol
Lyrisches Märchen in drei Akten
Edición de HTML
Konzertante Aufführungen
In russischer Sprache mit deutschen und englischen Übertiteln

13. August - Generalprobe: Benefizvorstellung für Japan

BESETZUNG LE ROSSIGNOL
Julia Novikova, Die Nachtigall
Julia Lezhneva, Die Köchin
Antonio Poli, Der Fischer
Andrei Bondarenko, Der Kaiser von China
Andrè Schuen, Der Kammerherr
Yuri Vorobiev, Der Bonze
Maria Radner, Der Tod

BESETZUNG IOLANTA
Anna Netrebko, Iolanta, König Renés blinde Tochter
Piotr Beczala, Graf Vaudémont, ein burgundischer Ritter
John Relyea, René, König der Provence
Evgeny Nikitin, Ibn-Hakia, ein maurischer Arzt
Alexey Markov, Robert, Herzog von Burgund
Antonio Poli, Alméric, König Renés Waffenträger
Yuri Vorobiev, Bertrand, Pförtner des Schlosses
Maria Radner, Martha, Bertrands Frau, Iolantas Amme
Julia Lezhneva, Brigitta, Freundin Iolantas
Rachel Frenkel, Laura, Freundin Iolantas

Ivor Bolton, Musikalische Leitung
Mozarteumorchester Salzburg
Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor
Jörn H. Andresen, Choreinstudierung

VIDEOCLIPS
Seitenblicke, ORF 2


ZIB, ORF 2


Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011


PHOTOS

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Anna Netrebko, Ivor Bolton. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala, Ivor Bolton. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko, Ivor Bolton. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko, Ivor Bolton. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko, Ivor Bolton. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko, Ivor Bolton. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Julia Lezhneva, Rachel Frenkel, Maria Radner, Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko, Ivor Bolton, John Relyea, Antonio Poli, Alexei Markov, Evgeny Nikiti, Yuri Vorobiev. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Anna Netrebko. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Anna Netrebko. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Ivor Bolton, Anna Netrebko. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Anna Netrebko. Photo: © Wolfgang Lienbacher / Salzburger Festspiele

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko. Photo: Herbert

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko. Photo: Herbert

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko. Photo: Herbert

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Julia Lezhneva, Rachel Frenkel, Maria Radner, Piotr Beczala, Anna Netrebko, Ivor Bolton, John Relyea, Antonio Poli, Alexei Markov. Photo: Herbert

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala. Photo: Herbert

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Anna Netrebko. Photo: Herbert

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Piotr Beczala, Ivor Bolton, Anna Netrebko. Photo: Herbert

Generalprobe, Iolanta, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg 13. Aug 2011. Anna Netrebko. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the Triangel, Salzburg, after the Generalprobe for Iolanta. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the Triangel, Salzburg, after the Generalprobe for Iolanta. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the Triangel, Salzburg, after the Generalprobe for Iolanta. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the Triangel, Salzburg, after the Generalprobe for Iolanta. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the Triangel, Salzburg, after the Generalprobe for Iolanta. Photo: Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the Salzburger Festspiele 2011

Today it has been presented the Programme for the upcoming Salzburger Festspiele 2011.

Among the concerts, one of the highlights of the Festival is the Concert of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. On the programme the "London" Symphony by Joseph Haydn and the "Stabat Mater" by Gioacchino Rossini featuring Anna Netrebko, Marianna Pizzolato, Matthew Polenzani and Ildebrando d'Arcangelo. Antonio Pappano conducts the Chorus and Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Two performances are scheduled at the Grosses Festspielhaus on 8. and 9. August 2011 at 17:00.

Among the operas one of the highlights of the Festival is the double bill programme in concert performance: "Le Rossignol" by Igor Stravinsky and "Iolanta" by Piotr I. Tchaikovsky. Anna Netrebko sings the title role in Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta" opposite Piotr Beczala as Count Vaudémont, John Relyea as King René and Alexei Markov as Robert. Ivor Bolton conducts the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg. Two performances of those rarely performed together 1-act operas are scheduled on 15. August 2011 at 15:00 and on 20. August 2011 at 20:30.

Salzburger Festspiele 2011

Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, Monday 8. Aug 2011 17:00

Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, Tuesday 9. Aug 2011 17:00

Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

PROGRAMME
Joseph Haydn • Symphony in D, Hob. I:104 – "London" Symphony
Gioacchino Rossini • Stabat Mater for Four Solo Voices, Choir and Orchestra

PERFORMERS
Anna Netrebko, Soprano
Marianna Pizzolato, Mezzo-Soprano
Matthew Polenzani, Tenor
Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, Bass
Coro dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Ciro Visco, Chorus Master
Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Antonio Pappano, Conductor


Salzburger Festspiele 2011
Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, Monday 15. Aug 2011 15:00
Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, Saturday 20. Aug 2011 20:30

Igor Stravinsky • Le Rossignol
Lyric tale in three acts
Text by Igor Stravinsky and Stepan Stepanovich Mitusov after Hans Christian Andersen’s tale The Nightingale

CAST
Julia Novikova, The Nightingale
Julia Lezhneva, The Cook
Antonio Poli, The Fisherman
Yuri Vorobiev, The Bonze
Maria Radner, Death

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Iolanta
Lyric opera in one act
Text by Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky after Henrik Hertz’s play King René’s Daughter

CAST
Anna Netrebko, Iolanta, blind daughter of King René
John Relyea, René, King of Provence
Piotr Beczala, Count Vaudémont, Burgundian knight
Alexei Markov, Robert, Herzog von Burgund
Antonio Poli, Alméric, armour-bearer to King René
Yuri Vorobiev, Bertrand, doorkeeper to the castle
Maria Radner, Martha, Iolanta’s nursemaid

Ivor Bolton, Conductor
Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra
Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus
Jörn H. Andresen, Chorus Master

Anna Netrebko in Iolanta at the Salzburger Festspiele 2011

Kurier announces that Markus Hinterhäuser - since September of this year, interim director of the Salzburg Festival - has presented today the Programme of the upcoming Summer Salzburg Festival 2011.

One of the highlights of the Summer Salzburg Festival 2011 are two opera concert performance evenings at the Grosses Festspielhaus on 15. and 20. August 2011. The programme consists of two one-act operas, rarely performed together: "Le Rossignol" by Igor Stravinsky and "Iolanta" by Piotr I. Tchaikovsky.

Anna Netrebko sings the title role in Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta" opposite Piotr Beczala as Count Vaudémont, John Relyea as King René and Alexei Markov as Robert. Ivor Bolton conducts the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg.

Salzburger Festspiele 2011
Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, Monday 15. Aug 2011 15:00
Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, Saturday 20. Aug 2011 20:30

Igor Stravinsky • Le Rossignol
Lyric tale in three acts
Text by Igor Stravinsky and Stepan Stepanovich Mitusov after Hans Christian Andersen’s tale The Nightingale

CAST
Julia Novikova, The Nightingale
Julia Lezhneva, The Cook
Antonio Poli, The Fisherman
Yuri Vorobiev, The Bonze
Maria Radner, Death

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Iolanta
Lyric opera in one act
Text by Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky after Henrik Hertz’s play King René’s Daughter

CAST
Anna Netrebko, Iolanta, blind daughter of King René
John Relyea, René, King of Provence
Piotr Beczala, Count Vaudémont, Burgundian knight
Alexei Markov, Robert, Herzog von Burgund
Antonio Poli, Alméric, armour-bearer to King René
Yuri Vorobiev, Bertrand, doorkeeper to the castle
Maria Radner, Martha, Iolanta’s nursemaid

Ivor Bolton, Conductor
Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra
Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus
Jörn H. Andresen, Chorus Master

Anna Netrebko will sing Rossini's Stabat Mater in Wien in 2011

Anna Netrebko will sing Gioacchino Rossini's Stabat Mater at the Grosser Saal of the Wiener Konzerthaus, Wien on 18. January 2011.

Stabat Mater by Gioacchino Rossini, Grosser Saal, Wiener Konzerthaus, Wien 18. Jan 2011 – Anna Netrebko (Soprano), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), John Relyea (Bass-baritone), Colin Lee (Tenor); Wiener KammerOrchester, Karel Mark Chichon

"Aleko" and "Iolanta", Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden 24. July 2009

The third performance of Rachmaninov's first opera "Aleko", with John Relyea in the title role, and Tchaikovsky's last opera "Iolanta", with Anna Netrebko in the title role and Piotr Beczala as Graf Vaudemont, took place on Friday 24. July 2009 at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Valery Gergiev conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Orchestra of St. Petersburg. The stage director, in a co-production by the Mariinsky Theater of St. Petersburg, was Mariusz Treliński. One more performance of "Aleko" and "Iolanta", the last one of the run, is scheduled on 27. July 2009.

The cast for this third performance was almost the same one than for the two previous performances, being the only changes Irina Mataeva replacing Veronika Dzhioeva as Zemfira in "Aleko" and Mikhail Kit replacing Sergei Aleksashkin as King René and Alexander Gergalov replacing Edem Umerov as Ebn-Hakia in "Iolanta".

Aleko
one act opera
Music by Sergei Rakhmaninov
Libretto by Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenkoafter the poem by Alexander Pushkin

Cast
Aleko: John Relyea
Young Gypsy: Sergei Skorokhodov
Zemfira: Irina Mataeva
Old Gypsy: Sergei Aleksashkin
Old Gypsy Woman: Elena Vitman

Iolanta
one act opera
Music by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky after the play "Kong Renés Datter" by Henrik Hertz

Cast
Iolanta: Anna Netrebko
Graf Tristan Vaudémont: Piotr Beczala
René, König der Provence: Mikhail Kit
Robert: Alexei Markov
Ebn-Hakia: Alexander Gergalov
Alméric: Andrei Zorin
Bertrand: Fyodor Kuznetsov
Martha: Natalia Evstafieva
Brigitte: Eleonora Vindau
Laura: Ekaterina Sergeeva

Production
Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Stage Director: Mariusz Trelinski
Set Designer: Boris Kudlička
Costume Designer: Magdalena Musial
Lighting Designer: Marc Heinz
Cinematographer: Wojciech Puś
Choreographer: Tomasz Wygoda
Animators: Michał Jankowski and Tomasz Popakul
Literary Consultant: Piotr Gruszczynski
Musical Preparation: Marina Mishuk
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko
Co-production of the Mariinsky Theater of St. Petersburg

Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Orchestra and Chorus of the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden
Friday 24. July 2009

About the Operas
Synopsis
Premiere of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg 17. Apr 2009
Variations in "Iolanta" Libretto
Iolanta
Iolanta's Russian/Spanish Libretto
Iolanta's English Libretto

Reports
Our friend Herbert attended this third performance and kindly wrote the following report for the blog:

What can I tell you but: Another triumph for Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala!

The third performance of Iolanta at the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden was sold out again, and it was cheered by an enthusiastic audience.

Anna sang and played the story of the princess who is unaware of her blindness and then is cured and she did it so convincingly that she must have moved everybody in the audience. It was simply overwhelming when Iolanta began to see the colours and forms created by nature for the first time in her life.

Polish tenor Piotr Beczala (Count Vaudemont) and Russian baritone Alexey Markov (Robert) also received applause during the performance for their arias. But the undisputed highlight was the duet of Iolanta and Vaudemont, Tvoyo molèan ye neponyatno (I do not understand your silence), which I have never heard any better before. It makes a big difference whether you listen to it in a concert or on CD, or if you see and hear it as an acted scene in a complete opera. The audience began to cheer and applaud even before the final tones of the music had finished (the orchestra of the Marinsky Theatre under Valery Gergiev was excellent and so was the acoustics of the Festpielhaus).

After the finale there was a rising storm of applause for the chorus, the principal singers and for Gergiev, but the house almost exploded when Anna came out for her last curtain call. Everybody rose and gave her standing ovations.

As always, she thanked not only those in the orchestra stalls near the stage but also the people in the galleries high under the roof, in the heavens , to whom she waved with her both arms.

There was a moment of scare and also of laughter when the curtain moved down in the same second when the singers wanted to step forward to the orchestra pit one more time, but nobody was hurt and the curtain went up again.

After the show a large crowd gathered at the stage door. When Anna came down the steps an official led her across the red carpet to the restaurant opposite where she was greeted with applause when entering. Piotr Beczala followed her and said that they would come back immediately. And so it was! Only a few minutes later Anna returned, wearing a red dress and holding a large bouquet of flowers in her arms. She signed many programmes and pictures, smiled when photos were taken, and then she waved good-bye and moved towards a car waiting for her leaving a happy crowd behind who had had a memorable summer night in Baden-Baden.

This morning, while I was waiting at the train station, I saw Ukrainian bass Mikhail Kit together with his wife (?) and some colleagues. I asked him if he was King René, and he smiled and answered in his deep voice: Yes, that s me. And then he signed my programme.

On-line Press Reviews
Anna Netrebkos Weg ins Licht - klassik.com 25. Jul 2009 [German]

Videoclips
Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: 1. Scene, Iolanta's Arioso. 2. Scene. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere


Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: 6. Scene, Scene and Robert's Aria. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere


Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: 6a. Scene, Vaudémont's Romance. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere


Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: 7. Scene. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere




Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: 7. Scene, Iolanta-Vaudémont Duet. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere


Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: 8. Scene. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere


Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: 9. Scene, Finale. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere


Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 24. July 2009: Curtain calls. Uploaded to Youtube by Valenzisomere


Photos
Curtain call after "Iolanta" on 24. Jul 2009. Photos [1-16] by Herbert

Anna Netrebko at the Hall of the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden after the performance of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" on 24. Jul 2009. Photos [1-3] by Herbert

Radio Broadcasts
One of the last two performances of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" will be broadcast on SWR2 Kultur, on Sunday 7. February 2010 at 20:03

Related posts
Anna Netrebko at the Baden-Baden Festspielhaus 2008-2009 Season
Planned DVDs releases with Anna Netrebko
Breaking News - Piotr Beczala replaces Rolando Villazón in Iolanta, Baden-Baden
Press Conference of Anna Netrebko in Baden-Baden
"Aleko" and "Iolanta", Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden 18. July 2009
"Aleko" and "Iolanta", Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden 21. July 2009

"Aleko" and "Iolanta", Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden 18. July 2009

The premieres of Rachmaninov's first opera "Aleko", with John Relyea in the title role, and Tchaikovsky's last opera "Iolanta", with Anna Netrebko making her role-debut in the title role and Piotr Beczala as Graf Vaudemont, have been performed on Saturday 18. July 2009 opening the Baden-Badener Sommerfestspiele 2009 at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Valery Gergiev conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Orchestra of St. Petersburg. The production, co-produced by the Mariinsky Theater of St. Petersburg, was directed by Mariusz Treliński. Three more performances of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" are scheduled on 21., 24. and 27. July 2009.

Rachmaninov's youthful work drew the focussed and delighted attention of Tchaikovsky, who assisted the production and even asked the young composer for permission to stage "Aleko" alongside "Iolanta" (which, until the recent premiere, had been performed along with the ballet "The Nutcracker"). On 17. and 18. April 2009, the Mariinsky Theater hosted premieres of Rachmaninov's "Aleko" and Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta", staged by Mariusz Treliński and conducted by Pavel Smelkov. To an extent, these premieres, at the Mariinsky Theater first and at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden now, embody Tchaikovsky's original idea.

The cast announced for all the four performance is very similar. Only the roles of Zemfira in "Aleko" and René and Ebn-Hakia in "Iolanta" are shared by two singers, getting two casts: Veronika Dzhioeva (18. and 24. July) and Irina Mataeva (21. and 27. July) are Zemfira, Sergei Aleksahskin (18. and 24. July) and Mikhail Kit (21. and 27. July) are René and Edem Umerov (18. and 24. July) and Alexander Gergalov (21. and 27. July) are Ebn-Hakia.

Despite the fact the it was initially planned to make a video recording of these performances and to release a DVD, finally this will not be done. Nevertheless, a radio broadcast of one of the performances is planned and a CD could be released.

Aleko
one act opera
Music by Sergei Rakhmaninov
Libretto by Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenkoafter the poem by Alexander Pushkin

Cast
Aleko: John Relyea
Young Gypsy: Sergei Skorokhodov
Zemfira: Veronika Dzhioeva
Old Gypsy: Sergei Aleksashkin
Old Gypsy Woman: Elena Vitman

Iolanta
one act opera
Music by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky after the play "Kong Renés Datter" by Henrik Hertz

Cast
Iolanta: Anna Netrebko*
Graf Tristan Vaudémont: Piotr Beczala
René, König der Provence: Sergei Aleksashkin
Robert: Alexei Markov
Ebn-Hakia: Edem Umerov
Alméric: Andrei Zorin
Bertrand: Fyodor Kuznetsov
Martha: Natalia Evstafieva
Brigitte: Eleonora Vindau
Laura: Ekaterina Sergeeva

* Role debut

Production
Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Stage Director: Mariusz Trelinski
Set Designer: Boris Kudlička
Costume Designer: Magdalena Musial
Lighting Designer: Marc Heinz
Cinematographer: Wojciech Puś
Choreographer: Tomasz Wygoda
Animators: Michał Jankowski and Tomasz Popakul
Literary Consultant: Piotr Gruszczynski
Musical Preparation: Marina Mishuk
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko
Co-production of the Mariinsky Theater of St. Petersburg

Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Orchestra and Chorus of the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden
Saturday 18. July 2009

About the Operas
Synopsis
Premiere of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg 17. Apr 2009
Variations in "Iolanta" Libretto
Iolanta
Iolanta's Russian/Spanish Libretto
Iolanta's English Libretto

Personal Report
Last Friday, 17. July 2009, I went to Baden-Baden to attend the premiere of a really exciting double program including Rachmaninov's first opera "Aleko" and Tchaikovsky's last opera "Iolanta" on Saturday 18. July 2009. I had bought the tickets 15 month ago, in May 2008, and since then I was really looking forward to attending this performance.

I was delighted to have the possibility to see live Anna Netrebko making her role debut as Iolanta, with the maginificent Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater conducted by the maestro Valery Gergiev. Strong reasons to have such an excitement and to expect an unforgetable night! And I got the privilege to be there!

On 18. July 2009, we got lunch at the Paganini restaurant of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel, just in front of the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. The members of the Mariinsky Orchestra arrived around 15:30, three and a half hours before the curtains rise. We arrived to the Festspielhaus around 17:30, when the doors given access to the Hall are opened to have a drink, have a look to the Fespsielhaus shop and to the programme of the performance. We bought the programme which was beautifully designed, including full details of the production and the cast for all the four performances, summaries of the plot of the operas in German/English, some colour photos of the rehearsals of Aleko and Iolanta and a short biography and photos of all the artists. A very nice booklet!

The performance started at 19:00 with Aleko, lasting for around 60 min, followed by a 40 min pause (it had been announced just a 20 min pause) and then Iolanta, lasting for around 90 min. Our seats were at the last row of the second balcony, on the right hand side. Full view of the stage, but quite far away, and very good accoustic. The auditorium was quite impressive, being the biggest of Germany in terms of capacity. Needless to say that the performance was sold out and the Festspielhaus was completely full.

I would say that none those operas are well known and they are hard to see live in opera houses, at least outside of Russia. I think also that they deserve more attention and should be better known, because the music is gorgeous and they include breathless arias and duets. I have to confess that I had not previously fully heard any of those operas, just the most well known parts of Iolanta, the Iolanta's aria and Iolanta/Vaudémont duet, which have been sung by Anna Netrebko in different concerts, like in Paris, St. Petersburg and Moscow, and more recently in Braunschweig and München.

The title role of Aleko was sung by John Relyea, recipient of the fourth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera. He was really fantastic. I was very positively impressed by a young, previously unknown to me, soprano Veronika Dzhioeva. She was absolutely great, both singing and acting on the stage. I would recommend to keep track of her career and, certainly, I will do it. The young tenor Sergei Skorokhodov, who had sung recently with Anna Netrebko in her last St. Petersburg and München concerts, was also very good. The Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater conducted by Valery Gergiev were simply outstanding.

After Aleko, what everybody was waiting for, Iolanta with Anna Netrebko! Tchaikovsky's Iolanta has some of the most stunning and breathless arias and duets. The most famous Iolanta's aria was recorded for the Netrebko's Russian Album, certainly, one of the best recordings of her career. Anna was flawless during all the performance. The highlights of the performance were her first aria and the duet with Piotr Beczala as Vaudémont. These two moments were incredibly beautiful. Anna's voice was perfect in colour. The duet was probably the most beautiful part of the whole opera. Both Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala were outstanding there. In general, all the artist of the Mariinksy Theater were very good. Once again, the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater conducted by Valery Gergiev, one of the most charismatic conductors nowadays, was outstanding.

After the performance, I was able to go backstage and to meet Piotr Beczala, Valery Gergiev and Anna Netrebko, among other singers, as well as Jeffrey Vanderveen, Anna's General Manager. Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, was also there. While being there, I was able to get an autograph from Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala and Valery Gergiev. Anna had to attend a reception. She left the backstage area in a hurry to attend, first the DB reception and then the buffet for the artists at the Festspielhaus. After a while she left the Festspielhaus by car.

Reports
Edda was also at the premiere and has written a report in German, including some nice photos, in her blog "Dich, teure Halle".

Ester was also there for the premiere and has written a report in Spanish, including also some nice photos and an audioclip of the duet Iolanta-Vaudémont, in her blog "Adiós, amigo adiós"

Press Reviews

“The magical sounds of Netrebko´s soprano voice make one´s soul blossom: at the start of the opera in the arioso that resembles an emerging flower bud, as if she were blindly reaching out for an emotion, while later – in Iolanta´s duet with her knight – we see the whole gamut of the emotions of a human being who has just discovered he has his entire life before him: the intonations grow from inside, with ease they soar above the music, striving towards the horizon.”
Jörg Königsdorf, Tagesspiegel, 21.07.09

“This magnificent opera was brilliantly performed. It was hard to believe that it was Netrebko´s debut in this role – such was her confidence throughout the entire opera.”
Jörg Königsdorf, Tagesspiegel, 21.07.09

“It was ninety minutes of absolute triumph. And not just because in addition to Netrebko there were another two first-class singers performing – Alexei Markov´s Russian-sounding baritone and Piotr Beczała´s elegant Polish tenor – and Valery Gergiev lends sensitivity to the score, which is imbued with the leitmotif from the Fifth Symphony, and he subjects it to the powerful, rhythmic reign of his hand.”
Manuel Brug, Die Welt, 20.07.09

“Iolanta is embodied on stage by Anna Netrebko with her marble-cool soprano, which yet still meets all Tchaikovsky´s expectations in terms of its expressiveness. Her voice has clearly grown, it has become much richer than previously and it is moving towards Tosca and Sieglinde; at the same time, the well-known timbre remains, dazzling with its thousands of colours.”
Heinz W. Koch, Badische Zeitung, 20.07.09

On-line Press Reviews
Jolanthes erotische Erweckung singen - Georg Rudiger, FR-online.de, 19. Jul 2009 [German]
Ein Mädchen findet das Licht - Badische Zeitung, 20. Jul 2009 [German]
Das innere Auge leuchtet - EZ-online, 20. Jul 2009 [German]
Anna Netrebko emanzipiert sich zum Individuum - Welt Online, 20. Jul 2009 [German]
Kein Festival für Anna - ein Tschaikowsky-Fest - Frankfurter Allgemeine, FAZ.net, 20. Jul 2009 [German]
Das Aufblühen einer Seele - Der Taggespiele, 21. Jul 2009 [German]
Spinnen, singen, Märchen hören - morgenweb.de, 21. Jul 2009 [German]
Anna Netrebko brilliert in Baden-Baden - Südkurier.de, 21. Jul 2009 [German]
Die Liebe macht sehend - gea.de, 21. Jul 2009 [German]
Estival Festivals: III. Baden-Baden - The Washington Post, 21. Jul 2009 [English]
Wenn die Liebe die Augen öffnet - Crescendo.de, 21. Jul 2009 [German]
Festival estival a Baden-Baden - Euronews.net, 22. Jul 2009 [French][Videoclip]
The Mariinsky Theatre´s Tour to the Baden-Baden Summer Festival Has Been a Triumph - site.mariinsky.ru [English]
Umjubelter Import aus Russland - Online Musik Magazin [German]
Saisonkrönung: Sommerfestspiele 2009 - Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 28. Jul 2009 [German] [Photos] [Videoclip]

Photos
Main entrance of the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Photos [1-2] by Carlos

Posters of the artists at the backstage door of the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Photos [1-2] by Carlos

Chopard boutique in Baden-Baden. Photos [1-2] by Carlos


Curtain call for "Iolanta" after the premiere on 18. July 2009. Photos [1-5] by Anne

At the Hall of the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, after the premiere of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" on 18. July 2009. Photos [1-2] by Anne

Videoclips
The Festspielhaus: A virtual visit to the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Videoclip uploaded to Youtube by TheFestpielhaus


Anna Netrebko and Valery Gergiev crowning the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden Season 2008-2009. Videoclip of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, released by the Festspielhaus. Videoclip uploaded to Youtube by TheFestpielhaus


Premiere of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" at the Mariinsky Theater on 17. Apr 2009. Videoclip from Russian TV 100tv.ru.


Premiere of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden on 18. Jul 2009. Videoclip from German TV 3sat TV. Uploaded to Youtube by dvedas


Radio Broadcasts
One of the last two performances of "Aleko" and "Iolanta" will be broadcast on SWR2 Kultur, on Sunday 7. February 2010 at 20:03

Related posts
Anna Netrebko at the Baden-Baden Festspielhaus 2008-2009 Season
Planned DVDs releases with Anna Netrebko
Breaking News - Piotr Beczala replaces Rolando Villazón in Iolanta, Baden-Baden
Press Conference of Anna Netrebko in Baden-Baden