This new production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin is the culminating completion of the Mozart/Da Ponte trilogy with Vincent Huguet as stage director. Huguet wants the Da Ponte trilogy to be understood as a legend of sexual liberation and its consequences, and the three operas of the cycle each tell of different phases of life. Don Giovanni about the escape of an ageing man in a world full of contradictions. Huguet sets the story of a seducer who ends up in hell for mocking his murder victim in the 1980s: Don Giovanni is a fashion photographer who uses his position of power to bed as many good-looking women as possible. The young ensemble of singers around Michael Volle as Don Giovanni, including Elsa Dreisig, Slávka Zámecníková, and David Oštrek, embrace this interpretation with immense enthusiasm. The Staatskapelle Berlin is conducted by Staatskapellmeister Thomas Guggeis. “An ensemble of young female voices who approached their roles with such freshness it was pure joy to listen to them.” (Bachtrack.com)
Thomas Guggeis conducts Smetana
The Prague Spring Festival opens annually with Bedrich Smet ana’s cycle Má vlast (My Fatherland), always on 12 May, the anniversary of the composer’s death. It is one of the national monuments of Czech music: a musical foray through the world of the Czech mythical character Šárka, through the history and landscape of the Bohemian Basin in the heart of Europe and the old Prague castle of Vyšehrad. The most famous movement, “Vltava” describes the river Moldau and its course through the country. It is therefore a special honour to be invited to play the opening concert. Only the best orchestras are asked, but for probably no other orchestra the theme of Má vlast has such significance as for the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. At the rostrum is Thomas Guggeis, a former assistant of Daniel Barenboim, who has – as many scholars of the great maestro before – made his own career and has been appointed general music director of the Frankfurt Opera.
Daphne
Richard Strauss’ opera Daphne, subtitled “bucolic tragedy in one act”, features lush, complex orchestrations and employs a large orchestra to convey its musical themes. The vocal writing is often highly virtuosic, showcasing the abilities of the singers in the lead roles. With Vera-Lotte Boecker – crowned “Singer of the year”, the prestigious Opernwelt Critics Award – he has found “an ideal Daphne, embodying both the youthful and the fated side of her character” (Bachtrack.com). “Thomas Guggeis conducted the admirable Staatskapelle Berlin with infinite delicacy and clarity” (La Libre Belgique). “Strong images that will have an impact for a long time to come.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung).