Opera de Paris in HD: The fewer, the better

It's so nice to see that each year more and more theatres, festivals broadcast their most remarkable or fresh productions! This season Opera national de Paris presents us a short but fascinating programme of transmissions and it would be wrong not to discuss it! It consists of five productions - four operas and one ballet - but I'm gonna go into detail just on opera schedule.

At the top of this list we have Verdi's "Don Carlo" (October 19) with just a phenomenal cast: Jonas Kaufmann, Sonya Yoncheva, Elina Garanca, Ildar Abdrazakov, Ludovic Tezier!!! When was the last time when we could see a bunch of such stars together on the same stage? Dream cast, no less! It will be a French version, a new production directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski with Philippe Jordan in the pit. Judging from the photos, we can expect an unconventional view on this story. For me it's hard to imagine this historical piece in the modern settings but again it doesn't bother me a lot as we have so many great performers in one place! As I'm a huge fan of Elina Garanca, I'm especially excited for her debut as Eboli in this opera! Can't wait to watch it!
On the 12th of December Opera de Paris will show us a new production of "La Boheme". Great choice for winter, I should say:). Sonya Yoncheva is again at the head of the cast and she will be accompanied by Aida Garifullina as Musetta (gorgeous Russian star whom the Paris audience saw in the title role in Rimsky-Korsakov's "The snow maiden" last season), Atalla Ayan as Rodolfo and Artur Ruciński as Marcello. Another benefit of this production is Maestro Gustavo Dudamel! The action will take place in the distant future, full of despair according to the concept of German director Claus Guth. What will this future bring us?...we'll see. I hope I'll have a good and positive impression as "La Boheme" is one of my faves:).
After a loooong intermission (in 5 months) we are gonna see a couple more productions: on the 7th of June - Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" and on the 19th of June Donizetti's "Don Pasquale".
"Boris Godunov" is a monumental opera that will be staged by Ivo Van Hove. The main thing that attracts me to this production is the most eagerly anticipated debut of Ildar Abdrazakov in the title role! I consider that Ildar will be very good at playing and singing this thrilling and difficult part and I can't wait to see his take on this great bass role! The other members of the cast are mostly Russian with Vladimir Jurowski in the pit.
Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" is one of the most hilarious operas ever! And I'd love to see it in new settings with such talented artists as Nadine Sierra and Lawrence Brownlee but...I'm a little bit concerned about the fact that Damiano Michieletto is appointed to direct this opera! The last thing I've heard about his work is a scandalous "Guillaume Tell" at the Royal Opera House which was met with a lot of boos from the audience! So what are we gonna have here? A provocative version of such an innocent and funny opera or not? It's hard to tell, let's hope for the best:).

Opera de Paris is now going the way "the fewer, the better" and trying to choose few but the most extraordinary productions with high-class performers. Having such giants like the Met or ROH by its side (which have been broadcasting for several years), Opera de Paris chooses the right direction to take its own place in this HD opera world and definitely deserves our attention!

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