Thunderous applause and loud cries of ‘bravo’ greeted the premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven’s ‘Fidelio’ at the inaugural performance of the first opera season in Valencia’s new Palau de les Arts on 25 October 2006. Attending the stellar performance in architect Santiago Calatrava’s breathtaking theater complex was Queen Sofía of Spain, who added to the glamour of the event. With this spectacular production directed by Pierluigi Pier’Alli, Valencia has put itself back on the map of the international opera world. Dominating the activity on stage are two of today’s most distinguished German singers: Waltraud Meier as Leonore and Peter Seiffert as Florestan.
Cyrano de Bergerac
A coproduction of the New York, London and Valencia houses, Franco Alfano’s little-known 1936 opera ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ has been reawakened to life by the great Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo. Although Alfano (1875-1954) enjoyed a long and prolific career as an opera composer, he is known today above all for having completed Puccini’s ‘Turandot’. His earlier works not surprisingly reflect Puccini’s verismo style, but his later works – including ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ – are clearly inspired by Debussy, Ravel and Strauss. Opulent scoring and colorful orchestral effects elegantly underscore the tragic story based on Rostand’s famous drama of 1897, which achieved international celebrity in the Oscar-nominated 1990 film adaptation with Gérard Depardieu.
Also available: Making of Alfano’s ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ (18’ – A93500217)