Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet’s Babel 7.16 unites 22 dancers from 15 nations in a performance that explores language and its relationship with nationhood, identity and religion. The ballet takes its title and tone from the apocalyptic Bible story in which God punitively divides his people into competing nations and tongues. The imposing three-dimensional structures of Antony Gormley’s stage design suggest a nameless intersection in a city near the borders of a no man’s land. The choreography elaborates the dynamic of connection and withdrawal, sustained by the installation of light-catching steel cubes. By inviting the “astonishingly multitalented cast of dancers” the two Belgian choreographers have put the concept of masses, of history and of territory in the Cour d’Honneur du Palais des Papes in Avignon, and thus created “the most fiercely resonant dance theatre of the decade” (The Guardian).
Berlioz, Requiem
In September 1975 Leonard Bernstein celebrated a triumphal return to Paris after a four-year absence, conducting the Orchestre National de France in two concerts. One featured exclusively works by Maurice Ravel, the other the Berlioz Requiem. Both concerts were recorded by Unitel. Bernstein had the good fortune to be able to conduct the monumental Requiem at the venue of its 1837 world premiere, the church or St. Louis des Invalides.
Sonya Yoncheva & Vittorio Grigolo at Arena di Verona – Love Duets
Passion that burns, consumes and sometimes kills – it’s the central theme of this concerto lirico, which marks the finale of a very special summer festival at the Arena. The two star singers Sonya Yoncheva and Vittorio Grigolo present “with dramatic and passionate synergy” (OperaClick) some of the most beautiful love duets of opera history. Accompanied by Plácido Domingo as conductor, they combine French repertoire (Gounod, Massenet, Bizet) with famous Italian pieces by Verdi and Puccini, like “E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca, “Un bel di vedremo” from Madama Butterfly or “Mimì?!…Speravo di trovarvi qui” from La Bohème.
Plácido Domingo Gala – 50 Years at the Arena di Verona
What a pompous and exquisite gala to celebrate opera legend Plácido Domingo in the breathtaking Arena di Verona! 50 years ago the young Madrilenian singer Plácido Domingo gave his debut at the ancient open-air theatre: the beginning of a lasting and exceptional relationship. To mark the anniversary, Domingo presents a programme entirely dedicated to Verdi, performing three of his most complex and majestic baritone roles. No effort was spared to create an unforgettable evening in a unique atmosphere in the completely sold-out amphitheatre, which has been at the heart of Italian entertainment for almost 2,000 years. Whether as Babylonian king Nabucco, Scottish general Macbeth or as Doge Simon Boccanegra: Domingo’s versatility and aura is more than impressive, with “top phrasing and articulation, his baritone with full and sonorous intonation and a unique timbre – all this substantiates his exceptional position” (Das Opernglas). At the side of Domingo shines an excellent cast including Anna Pirozzi and Arturo Chacón-Cruz, supported by a perfectly rehearsed ballet under the baton of conductor Jordi Bernàcer who sovereignly leads the Orchestra of the Arena di Verona from scene to scene. A triumphal, almost historic moment for Domingo and the Arena di Verona!
Rossini Opera Gala
The Rossini Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary and its prominent name-giver with a top-class gala concert. The quality of singing is unmatched, bringing together renowned and frequent artists of the Festival with a new generation of promising Rossini voices. With the passionate direction of Carlo Rizzi and the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI one can enjoy a firework of scenes and arias, starring star tenor Juan Diego Flórez, American tenor Lawrence Brownlee, Italian baritone Nicola Alaimo, Russian mezzo-soprano Anna Goryachova or American soprano Angela Meade, to name only a few. The reviews were full of praise for this All Star Game: Viva Rossini!
David Garrett – Unlimited
Star violinist David Garrett celebrates his ten-year spectacular crossover programme with thousands of fans in the extraordinary atmosphere of the Arena di Verona. Thanks to his passion for music, he has succeeded in creating a completely new audience not only for crossover but also for classical music. With his brilliant interpretations of rock hits like “Purple Rain” or “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and world-famous pop songs like “Viva la vida” or “Hey Jude” and his arrangements of classical melodies like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or “Clair de Lune” by Debussy, Garrett knows how to literally sweep his audience off their seats like no other.
Recital Leo Nucci
Thirty years at La Scala: this is what Leo Nucci’s recital commemorated, an event celebrated by the fact that it was sold out only a few days after the booking opened. It was in 1977, and it was naturally the Barbiere by Rossini that opened in style the career at La Scala of a singer amongst the dearest in the heart of opera audiences, in particular in Milan. From then onwards, Nucci has performed in the greatest theatres in the world. He has sung with the most famous opera singers in the world, has worked with conductors such as Karajan, Solti, Giulini, Muti, Abbado, Maazel, Mehta, Levine and has participated in two ‘opera-films’: Macbeth and Il barbiere di Siviglia, in addition to numerous videos of live opera performances.