"An all-round gripping new production" (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung): 52 years after its premiere, Hans Werner Henze's "The Bassarids" returns to the Salzburg Festival under the baton of Kent Nagano to recreate this modern classic in a highly dramatic, psychological production by Krzysztof Warlikowski to bring to life. Inspired by Euripides' tragedy The Bacchae, the opera is as seductive as it is timely: if Dionysus - is he a charlatan? is he a demigod? - breaks into the intact world of ancient Thebes, throwing the city into chaos. In stark contrast to his cousin, King Pentheus, who lives a life of purity and asceticism, Dionysus preaches intoxicating debauchery and sensuality. This personified struggle between the rational and civilized side and the instinctive, purely sensual side of human nature leads the royal family to disaster. Aware of the political dimension of the story, which resonates in today's politics, Krzysztof Warlikowski brings one of his famous psychological productions to the Felsenreitschule in Salzburg. Under the gigantic three-part stage design by Małgorzata Szczęśniak, the captivating story unfolds like a split-screen film. Krzysztof Warlikowski brings one of his famous psychological productions to the Felsenreitschule in Salzburg. Under the gigantic three-part stage design by Małgorzata Szczęśniak, the captivating story unfolds like a split-screen film. Krzysztof Warlikowski brings one of his famous psychological productions to the Felsenreitschule in Salzburg. Under the gigantic three-part stage design by Małgorzata Szczęśniak, the captivating story unfolds like a split-screen film.
With "an exceptionally outstanding ensemble" the musical realization is "simply great" (Der Standard). The young US tenor Sean Panikkar shines as Dionysos with effortlessly heroic power - "a triumph" (BR Klassik). Russel Braun sings his opponent Pentheus excellently with polished diction and vocal focus. The way Tanja Ariane Baumgartner and Vera-Lotte Bäcker portray Agave and Autonoe is "an art of singing and playing of the highest order" (Neue Zürcher Zeitung). Willard White's Cadmus convinces with its strong personality. The Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor are the "overwhelming protagonists of this new production" (Süddeutsche Zeitung). Star conductor Kent Nagano, who was closely associated with Henze, takes "The Judgment of Calliope" into the work, a 20-minute segment from the original score that adds a new dimension to the opera's depiction of the Dionysian cult. Henze's score strikes a rare balance between experimental and traditional effects. Nagano leads the Vienna Philharmonic with clarity and precision and ensures transparency even with the largest orchestra volume.
