Conductor antonio pappano orchestra orchestra of the royal opera house cast jonas kaufmann, evamaria westbroek, zeljko lucic, peter colemanwright. Bayerische staatsoper umberto giordano andrea chenier. Designing andrea chenier bringing the french revolution to life. It established giordano as a leading member of italys giovane scuola, and has remained giordanos most popular opera, with occasional productions at leading opera houses. Marcelo alvarez as the title role of giordanos andrea chenier. For the 1955 italian film, see andrea chenier film. Mar 28, 2018 umberto giordano will forever be remembered for one opera, andrea chenier.
Premiered at the teatro alla scala in milan on 28 march 1896, andrea chenier is everything one could want of a verismo opera. At a party, the poet andrea chenier is ridiculed by maddalena di coigny. The bayerische staatsoper put up a new production of the masterpiece by umberto giordano, and i loved it. Bbc four andrea chenier from the royal opera house. Andrea chenier, a poet, has attended this party and has been outspoken about how he dislikes the riches treatment of the poor, and he leaves with the servants. While the current revival at the metropolitan opera. Giordano love clashes with duty, against a backdrop of one of the most tumultuous periods in european history, as umberto giordanos masterpiece, andrea chenier, comes to the narodni divadlo, the national theatre in prague. The story is based loosely on the life of the french poet andre chenier 17621794, who was executed during the french revolution. Download the new ipad app to watch on your tv with apple tv via airplay. Truly one of the most iconic met opera performances and a classic to be relived, giordano.
Live from the royal opera house on thursday 29th january at 7. Andrea chenier kaufmann, alvarez and radvanovsky fight for freedom and love during the french revolution the opera is framed in fullthrottle verismo, with its commitment to the embodiment of reality through great vocal and orchestral sensationalism. The story is based loosely on the life of the french poet andre chenier. Sfopera 9 awesome oscar winning films that feature opera. Chenier was fully versed in the legends of greece, greek customs and the greek directness of presentation. Published on the 15 of august, 2017 see all columns.
Umberto giordanos andrea chenier 1896 presents a fictionalised account of the last years of the french poet andre chenier, guillotined. It is an excellent live production filmed at covent garden in 1985. Jan 27, 2015 revisiting andrea chenier at the royal opera house. Under the french revolution, the poet andrea chenier and the servant carlo gerard both love the young aristocrat maddalena and the drama increases as gerard chenier is dangerously jealous. Andrea chenier, also spelled andrea chenier, is a 1955 french italian historical musical melodrama film directed by clemente fracassi and starring antonella lualdi, raf vallone and michel auclair. Here he tells the torrid tale of a reallife poet of the french revolution whose idealism falls foul. Luigi illicas superlative writing for the libretto is matched by the sheer range of giordanos music as he takes us on a journey from the homes of the. Andre marie chenier 30 october 1762 25 july 1794 was a french poet of greek and francolevantine origin, associated with the events of the french revolution of which he was a victim. Andrea chenier live from the royal opera house youtube.
A vocal masterclass with antonio pappano and jonas kaufmann the royal opera duration. The singing is great but you have to be able to tolerate the imperfections of an old black and white video recording. Umberto giordano will forever be remembered for one opera, andrea chenier. Start with the french revolution, add one impassioned poet who really lived in love with a beautiful aristocratic woman, mix their tragic fate with robespierres reign of terror, and you have one sensational opera. Andrea chenier, also spelled andrea chenier, is a 1955 frenchitalian historical musical melodrama film directed by clemente fracassi and starring antonella lualdi, raf vallone and michel auclair. Andrea chenier, a poet in the midst of revolutionary.
Tristram kenton for the guardian kaufmann is performing the title role for the first time, and its hard to imagine him bettered. The poet andrea chenier and the servant carlo gerard both love the young and beautiful aristocrat maddalena. In april we listened to giordanos opera, andrea chenier. For once this was no hype, the opera new to me was a revelation. Analyzing the transcendent power of the maria callas. Giordano andrea chenier rudel, domingo, tomowasintow. Jan 29, 2015 andrea chenier was giordanos third opera. The work, which world premiered on march 28, 1896, remains renowned for its sweeping romantic melodies, becoming a major vehicle for the star tenor that is tasked with four major solo passages on top of two extended duets with soprano.
The libretto, by puccinis regular collaborator luigi illica, is loosely based on the life and tragic death of the french poet andre chenier, who was executed during the french revolution. Sep 10, 2016 umberto giordanos french revolutionset opera andrea chenier is not staged frequently, but san francisco opera made a strong case for the work in its seasonopening production, which debuted. This heart wrenching drama about the aids epidemic in the late 1980s won tom hanks the academy award for best actor. This wellmade and often inspired opera, loosely based on history and conducted here with vigor, if a touch too. Tune in this saturday at 8pm to hear giordanos andrea chenier. Dec 18, 2015 andrea chenier from the royal opera house umberto giordanos passionate drama about liberty and love in the french revolution, contrasting the opulence of prerevolutionary france with the. Star tenor luciano pavarotti brings passion and vocal splendor to the role of andrea chenier, the poet caught between the maelstrom of the french revolution and his love for maddalena sung by aprile millo, daughter of an aristocratic family. Theatre royal, glasgow jonas kaufmann is but one dazzling reason to revive the rarely performed andrea chenier. The royal opera has not performed andrea chenier on stage for thirty years but has made a sound investment in david mcvicars historically informed new. Jul 31, 2017 the revolutionary tribunal has condemned andrea chenier to death.
Deceptive cadence opera geeks always surge with excitement when a favorite singer releases a new album. Costume designer jenny tiramani explains the research and creative process that goes into bringing the french revolution back to life on the royal opera house stage. This thrilling historical drama returns to royal opera house for the first time since 1985 in a stunningly visual production. I found that after a few minutes i did not notice the imperfections. Andrea chenier digital programme publications royal opera.
Jan 29, 2015 the cast and creative team of andrea chenier including jonas kaufmann, evamaria westbroek and antonio pappano introduce giordanos passionate opera about the french revolution. It is loosely based on the eponymous 1896 opera by umberto giordano about the eighteenth century poet andre chenier. Jonas kaufmann, evamaria wesbroek, zeljko lucic, antonio pappano. This opera was written in 1896 and continues the c19th tradition of composers looking for drama in actual events or situations that are common to their times. Its the eve of the french revolution and servant carlo gerard ponders how long the upper class has before it gets toppled. David mcvicar directs a new production of umberto giordanos passionate drama of liberty and love in the french revolution. Jan 21, 2015 andrea chenier at the royal opera house. With its tenacious celebration of strength in the face of unvanquishable, ruthless adversity, it rivals tristan and isolde in its heroes unabashed, iron.
David mcvicars historically detailed production brings giordanos french revolution opera thrillingly alive. Giordanos fourth and greatest opera, chenier is described by vienna state opera as a must for all opera lovers. Umberto giordanos opera is loosely based on the life of andrea chenier, the french poet and political activist who was executed during the french revolution. Backstage films from the live relay of andrea chenier including a musical masterclass from antonio pappano. When maddalena loses everything in the french revolution, chenier offers her protection, and so incites the envy of gerard, now a powerful official. Andrea chenier is a serious opera and it is actually quite moving. Andre chenier the poet andre chenier was born in 1762 at constantinople. Composed by umberto giordano and set to an italian. His sensual, emotive poetry marks him as one of the precursors of the romantic movement.
It is so rare that i like a production this much, i must tell you about it. In the bel canto society store we sell hundreds of hardtofind dvd, video and cd titles. The poet andrea chenier and the servant carlo gerard both love the young aristocrat maddalena. Andrea chenier on decca dvd is a fanfavorite that core opera fans would cherish to relive this grand production unlike any other. Setting the reallife figure as the lead character and with the poet singing his own verses, this verismo opera embraces the realism enthusiastically. Jul 04, 2014 giordanos andrea chenier is the story of the poet of the french revolution who sacrificed his life for his ideals.
Revisiting andrea chenier at the royal opera house the. The french revolution 1789 1799 offers many awful opportunities for a composer to explore revolution, betrayal. He expresses outrage at the corruption in king louis xvis government and the poverty of many frenchmen. Giordano andrea chenier warner classics 9029593779 mc. Andrea chenier from the royal opera house 2015 rotten. Until recently november 2003 the only dvd edition of andrea chenier was a 1975 film version with franco corelli in the title role. A coproduction with royal opera, covent garden and the national centre for the performing arts, beijing previous performances of andrea chenier can be found in our archive. Umberto giordanos french revolutionset opera andrea chenier is not staged frequently, but san francisco opera made a strong case for the work in.
The poet andrea chenier attends a party at the countess di coignys mansion. Dec 08, 2014 umberto giordanos andrea chenier 1896 presents a fictionalised account of the last years of the french poet andre chenier, guillotined during the reign of. This production is the first by the royal opera since 1984. An introduction to andrea chenier the royal opera youtube. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the enter key is pressed. It illustrates why the royal opera is one of the worlds leading companies. With andrea chenier, umberto giordano turned an iconic poet of the french revolution into one of the legendary roles of italian opera. Jan 22, 2015 image courtesy of the royal opera house. Host sean bianco brings you a fulllength opera featuring great.
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