Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, and Speight Jenkins, General Director of Seattle Opera, announced today that the two opera companies will join forces for the first time to co-produce Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride (Iphigenia in Tauris). A triumphant culmination of Gluck's life's work, Iphigénie en Tauride will be staged by renowned opera and theater director Stephen Wadsworth, backed by a team of award-winning designers. The new production of Iphigénie en Tauride premieres at the Met on November 27, 2007, marking the first time in nearly a century the work has been presented by the company. Susan Graham stars as Iphigenie, with Plácido Domingo singing the tenor role of Oreste from the 1781 version Gluck wrote for Vienna. Paul Groves sings Pylade and William Shimell, is Thoas. Louis Langrée makes his Met debut as conductor. The Seattle premiere on October 13, 2007 marks the first time the opera will be presented by Seattle Opera.
A powerful example of Gluck's vision of opera as a pure union of music and drama, Iphigénie en Tauride offers rich opportunities for new theatrical interpretation. All performances will be directed by Mr. Wadsworth, who has translated and adapted a number of operas for the stage, including Handel's Rodelinda at the Met in 2004. Sets will be designed by Obie Award winner Thomas Lynch (Woman Before a Glass in 2005). Costumes are designed by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz (Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2003, Kiss Me Kate in 2000). Lighting design is by Tony Award winner Peter Kaczorowski (The Producers in 2001), choreography is by Daniel Pelzig, and hair and make-up design is by Joyce Degenfelder.
"Iphigénie is a great vehicle for Susan Graham and Plácido Domingo and will provide an exciting new musical and theatrical experience for our audiences," said Peter Gelb. "One of the most striking and successful recent Met productions was Rodelinda, which is why we're working once again with the same creative team. Steven Wadsworth, the director, and Tom Lynch, the designer, teamed up for the Met's production of Handel's Rodelinda at the Met in 2004, starring Renée Fleming and David Daniels."Â
"Seattle Opera experienced major success when we produced Gluck's Orphée et Eurydice with Stephen Wadsworth directing, in 1988," added Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins. "I have not since had the opportunity to return to Gluck's work, until this new opportunity to co-produce with the Met. It's a tribute to both our technical and production abilities that this partnership has emerged."Â
Iphigénie en Tauride tells the story of Iphigenia, Agamemnon's eldest daughter who was saved by the goddess Diana from death at her father's hands. A priestess held against her will in Tauris, she is commanded to kill two Greeks who have been captured. Just in time she discovers that one is her brother. She manages to save both their lives and return with them to Greece. The elegance and lyricism of Gluck's masterful score perfectly captures this classic Greek drama by Euripides. The opera, with a French libretto by Nicolas-François Guilliard, was first performed in Paris on May 18, 1779.
By www.metoperafamily.org
Posted December 25th, 2006 by ruzik_tuzik
