El Trovador by Verdi, vie. 29 nov 2013, De (2013/2013), Dirigido por Philipp Stölzl, Director Daniel Barenboim, Schiller Theater, Berlín, Alemania

"One of the most talked about productions in the world of opera....an undeniable triumph" (Mundoclasico.com) It was a real song festival that the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden presented to us in their temporary home in the Schillertheater at the premiere of Giuseppe Verdi's Il trovatore, the middle element of what has been dubbed the "Trilogia popolare" (Rigoletto, Il trovatore, La traviata), offered: Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo in debut roles at the head of an impressive ensemble sensitively directed by fellow debutant Daniel Barenboim will. Anna Netrebko, "in stunning form" (The Times), drew a portrait of Leonora that was compelling and immediate from start to finish. At her side - as the true find of the evening - Marina Prudenskaya shone in the role of the vengeful gypsy Azucena: "Extraordinary, this singer! Volcanic heat from the depths of her mezzo-soprano, razor-sharp her heights - and every shade of tenderness and ruthlessness can be found in between ." (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). Placido Domingo, once the most sought-after Manrico of his generation and here for the first time in the baritone role of Count von Luna, still radiates the "Domingo warmth of bygone times and his magical stage presence ennobles every opera evening" (Die Welt). To complete the foursome, Gaston Rivero is an attractive manrico "with an attractive timbre, well-considered phrasing, fine legato" (opera glass). "Finally, Daniel Barenboim's debut as the musical director of this work was positively sensational" (Berliner Zeitung). On the podium of "his" Berliner Staatskapelle "he creates wonderful moments of gentle tone.... and reveals an always fascinating Verdi" (Süddeutsche Zeitung), whose suggestive melodies captivate the audience. Philipp Stölzl succeeds in a convincing interpretation of one of the most complicated love stories in opera history with jealousy, intrigue, revenge and murder in the conflict between two brothers who are bitter rivals for the hand of the beautiful Duchess Leonora. The internationally acclaimed music video artist, filmmaker and director blends historical and modern elements in a colorful Alice in Wonderland-inspired production, brilliantly realizing in surrealistic video projections and a choreography of scenic lighting that opens up the simple stage area with constantly new perspectives Verdi's consistently cinematic alternation between past and present. "The aesthetic creates a tone of classic and comical," writes Musical America, " a glamorous display and a virtuoso stylistic mix for this production bearing the Philipp Stölzl signature,” agrees Le Monde. The lavish historical costumes by Ursula Kundra and "the colorful shadow-casting expert light by Olaf Freese" (Express, UK) make their own contribution to a brilliant production.