World premiere, in co-production with Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo.
From the heroes in Metastasio's operas embodied by castrati to the numerous travesty roles of the Romantic repertoire, we can see that gender in opera is a fairly fluid concept. In the 18th century, no one was surprised when kings and gods were interpreted by artists with ethereal voices, or later when the ardent Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro revealed the secrets of his heart in the shimmering colors of a mezzo-soprano's timbre.
The concept of Their Master's Voice was inspired by the mutual desire of two artists who hold each other in high esteem: John Malkovich, the unforgettable Valmont in Stephen Frears' Liaisons Dangereuses, and Cecilia Bartoli, an artist on a constant quest for reinvention. During the performance, we will see the composer and teacher of the best voices of his time confronted with his most famous pupils: Farinelli and Caffarelli. This "battle of the sexes", which is both a theatrical narrative and a musical celebration, and the great castrato arias of the Baroque, will tell us more about the master composer and his invaluable contribution to the fame of these singers and their angelic voices. Austrian director Michael Sturminger will create this specially conceived production, which will be shown at the Vienna State Opera after Monte Carlo as part of the Barocchissimo week.
April 7, 2024
