FIDELIO
by Ludwig van
Beethoven
Maison symphonique de
Montréal
October 25, 2019 at
7:30 pm / October 27, 2019 at 3 pm
The Opéra de Montréal and the Orchestre Métropolitain
present their very first co-production
On
October 25 and 27, the Opéra de Montréal and the Orchestre Métropolitain are
coming together to kick off the festivities celebrating the 250th
anniversary of Beethoven’s birth by presenting their very first co-production: a concert
version of the opera Fidelio. Yannick Nézet-Séguin will
conduct the composer’s sole opera for the first time, a rare opportunity to bring
together several of the greatest singers of our time on the Maison symphonique stage, including Michael Schade, Luca Pisaroni, and Lise Davidsen. This first co-production highlights the strong connection
between the two organizations and confirms their growing collaboration.
“We are always
proud to work with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Orchestre
Métropolitain, our principal orchestra, and we are delighted to be bringing
these big names on today’s opera scene to Montreal,” states Patrick Corrigan,
General Director of the Opéra de Montréal. “Our two organizations have a real
desire to continue to develop this strong tie that binds us, so as to take
Montrealers to ever-higher musical heights,” says Corrigan.
“After
many collaborations with the Opéra de Montréal, we are now joining
forces around our very first co-production. It is a reflection of the very
close relationship that has developed between our two organizations over time.
How proud we are to be giving Montrealers a chance to experience the only opera
by Beethoven, whose genius will be celebrated around the world
throughout 2020! I am happy to be bringing together these prestigious voices on
the Maison symphonique stage and to be working with my musicians of the Orchestre
Métropolitain again,” adds Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Artistic Director and
Principal Conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain.
Fidelio: love, courage, and
freedom.
Leonore has disguised
herself as a man and introduced herself as Fidelio in order to obtain
employment as an assistant jailer in the prison where her husband Florestan has
been unjustly incarcerated by order of the cruel Don Pizarro. While engaged in
this perilous undertaking, Fidelio has aroused the love of Marzelline, the
jailer’s daughter, who has now rejected her fiancé. The courageous and
persistent wife manages to save her husband from death ordered by Pizarro, his
political enemy, whose treachery will be brought to light.
Cast of international stars
…along with a few of
our wonderful local talents:
Conductor
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Canada
Co-production
Opéra de Montréal / Orchestre Métropolitain
Leonore
Lise Davidsen, Norway
Florestan
Michael Schade, Canada
Rocco
Raymond Aceto, United States
Pizarro
Luca Pisaroni, Italy
Fernando
Alan Held, United States
Marzelline
Kimy Mc Laren, Canada
Jaquino
Jean-Michel Richer, Canada
Prisoner
1
Sylvain Paré, Canada
Prisoner
2
Jean-Philippe McClish, Canada
With the Opéra de
Montréal Chorus
Operademontreal.com/en/shows/fidelio
Orchestremetropolitain.com/en/concert/beethovens-fidelio/
Dates
October 25, 2019 at
7:30 pm
October 27, 2019 at 3
pm
Maison symphonique
Tickets
Single tickets
Opéra de Montréal box
office: 514-985-2258 • 1 877 385-2222
operademontreal.com
Place des Arts box
office: 514-842-2112 • 1 866 842-2112
Short bios of the
main soloists
Last season, Lise Davidsen made her Bayreuth
debut as Elisabeth in Tannhäuser, returning to Opernhaus Zürich and
the Bavarian State Opera for the same role. Other highlights included Liza in The
Queen of Spades at Oper Stuttgart, her debut at the Royal Opera House –
Covent Garden in The Ring Cycle, and her debut as Sieglinde in Die
Walküre with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Hailed as one of the world’s leading tenors, Michael
Schade performs at prestigious opera companies and concert halls. He
embraces a wide repertoire in opera, recital, concert, and recording. A
favorite artist of the Salzburg Festival for almost two decades, his recent
festival highlights include The Creation, The Seasons, and Die
Schöne Müllerin. He also frequents the Metropolitan Opera, Munich Opera,
Canadian Opera Company, and Vienna State Opera, in works ranging from Die
Meistersinger von Nürnberg to Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda.
Raymond Aceto has established an
important presence among the world’s leading opera companies. Appearances in
recent seasons include Fafner and Hunding in The Ring Cycle and Ramfis
in Aida at the San Francisco Opera, and Méphistophélès in Faust at
the New Orleans Opera. He has appeared frequently at the Metropolitan Opera,
most recently as Zaccaria in Nabucco, Il Commendatore in Don Giovanni,
and Sparafucile in Rigoletto.
Luca Pisaroni has established himself as one of the most charismatic and versatile singers performing today. Last season, he returned to Teatro Real as Méphistophélès in Faust, made his house debut at the Gran Teatre del Liceu as Mustafà in L’Italiana in Algeri, returned to the Metropolitan Opera for his debut in the title role of Don Giovanni, created the role of the young Lorenzo da Ponte in the world premiere of The Phoenix atthe Houston Grand Opera, and made his role debut as Escamillo in Carmen at the Royal Opera House – Covent Garden.
