Opera

Luigi Cherubini

Médée

19 Sep, 23 - 04 Oct, 23

Musical conductor: Ivor Bolton | Stage director and designer: Paco Azorín | Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real

The season opens with the masterpiece of the genius Cherubini. Tragic and rapturous, Medea is best known for the historic interpretations of Maria Callas, to whom this production will be dedicated on the centenary of her birth. The eagerly awaited new stage direction by Paco Azorín, together with the voices of Maria Agresta, Saioa Hernández and Nancy Fabiola Herrera, will explore dramatic aspects of the libretto, such as vicarious violence and abandonment.

The immolation of Medea in the temple, blazing in the revenging fury of flames, constitutes one of the most startling and visionary moments in the history of opera. Wagner, who was a great admirer of the opera, acknowledged this moment in the finale of his monumental Twilight of the Gods. As for Maria Callas and her unsurpassed dramatic talent, she took this largely forgotten title and made it one of the most personal hallmarks of her entire career.

The genius of Cherubini reigned in Republican France in the 1790s decade, making a profound impression on the young Beethoven. Nonetheless, by the turn of the century, his name retracted in favour of Spontini and Rossini, and his reputation became one of a bad tempered and conservative composer. Noble and majestic as a sculpture by Canova or a fresco by David, but deeply affected by the overwhelming personality of its protagonist, the opera Médée offers undreamed of possibilities for scenic and dramatic development in accordance with the “ harmonic delirium, barbaric transitions and exaggerated chromaticism” which - in the view of an early review of the work – are found in its score.

Tragédie lyrique

Music by Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842)

Libretto by François-Benoît Hoffmann (1760-1828), based on the tragedy (431 a. c.) of Euripides

Critical edition by Heiko Cullmann based on the original French edition, with Alan Curtis responsible for the sung recitatives

Premiere at the Théâtre Feydeau of Paris, 13 March 1797

Premiere at the Teatro Real

New Production of the Teatro Real, in co-production with Abu Dhabi Festival

Artistic team

Conductor: Ivor Bolton

Stage and Set Design: Paco Azorín

Costume Design: Ana Garay

Lighting Design: Pedro Yagüe

Video Design: Pedro Chamizo

Stage Movement: Carlos Martos

Historical - Mythological advice: Pedro Sáenz Almeida

Chorus Master: José Luis Basso

Cast

Jason: Enea Scala __ 19, 22, 25, 28 Sept; 1, 4 Oct

Francesco Demuro __ 20, 23, 26, 29 Sept; 2 Oct

Medea: Maria Agresta __ 19, 22, 28 Sept 2023; 4 Oct 2023

Saioa Hernández __ 20, 23, 26, 29 Sept; 2 Oct

Maria Pia Piscitelli __ 25 Sept; 1 Oct

Neris: Nancy Fabiola Herrera __ 19, 22, 25, 28 Sept; 1, 4 Oct

Silvia Tro Santafé __ 20, 23, 26, 29 Sept; 2 Oct

Creon: Jongmin Park __ 19, 22, 25, 28 Sept; 1, 4 Oct

Alexander Vinogradov __ 20, 23, 26, 29 Sept; 2 Oct

Glauce (Dirce): Sara Blanch __ 19, 22, 25, 28 Sept; 1, 4 Oct

Marina Monzó __ 20, 23, 26, 29 Sept; 2 Oct

First Maidservant: Mercedes Gancedo

Second Maidservant: Alexandra Urquiola

Captain of the Guard: David Lagares

Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real

A tribute to Maria Callas (1923-2023) on the centenary of her birth

Under 35’s Gala performance, 16 September, 7 p.m.

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Artistic information

Creative team

Musical conductor Ivor Bolton

Creación, dirección de escena y escenografía Paco Azorín

Diseño de vestuario Ana Garay

Concepto de iluminación Pedro Yagüe

Dirección de vídeo Pedro Chamizo

Diseñador de movimiento Carlos Martos de la Vega

Asesoramiento dramatúrgico Pedro Sáenz Almeida

Chorus Conductor José Luis Basso

Cast

Jason Enea Scala

Jason Francesco Demuro

Médée Maria Agresta

Médée Saioa Hernández

Médée Maria Pia Piscitelli

Néris Nancy Fabiola Herrera

Néris Silvia Tro Santafé

Créon Jongmin Park

Créon Michael Mofidian

Dircé Sara Blanch

Dircé Marina Monzó

Primera doncella Mercedes Gancedo

Segunda doncella Alexandra Urquiola

Un corifeo David Lagares

Medea, de Luigi Cherubini

Programa de mano

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Performances

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19 September 2023