Event at the Halle aux grains, in Toulouse, with the Orchester de l’Opéra de Paris
The Orchester de l’Opéra national de Paris will give a concert at the Halle aux grains on Friday 19 November as part of the Great Interpreters. The director general of the Paris Opera, Alexander Neef, talks about the event.
He is German but speaks perfect French, he who was for 4 years casting director at the Paris Opera. He returned to this illustrious house through the front door in 2019 after spending 12 years in Canada. Alexander Neef likes “excellence” and “openness”, two words that often come up in his mouth. Two words that sound good with the auditorium of the Orchester de l’Opéra de Paris in Toulouse, in a program bringing together Ravel (“Alborada del gracioso”), Mozart (“Symphony No. 31 in D major”) and Berlioz (“ Fantastic symphony ”).
How would you define the qualities of the Orchester de l’Opéra de Paris?
It tells about musicians who are brilliant on an individual level but even more in the collective. They express a very strong desire to make music together, which requires exceptional mutual listening. And not just on the set under the direction of a chef.
Gustavo Dudamel is the brand new musical director of your orchestra. What do you like about him?
His arrival to conduct “La Bohème” in 2017 created the first link with the musicians and the company, which allowed me to offer him the position of musical director. We were then able to have a very precise perception of its qualities. He is an extraordinarily gifted musician but he also has a very collegial way of looking at work. And this from the very attentive reading of the score during rehearsals. This implementation is so thorough that it reaped the rewards during concerts.
Did his image as a great teacher also play a role in his appointment?
This aspect of his personality is essential. From our first exchanges, we talked about the future of opera; how to think outside the box, show that it belongs to everyone, that it is intended for the greatest number… without compromising on the offer. Our house is wide open. Gustavo Dudamel and we will also transmit that beauty is an essential choice to share.
The program given at the Halle aux grains shows Ravel, Mozart and Berlioz. Why this choice ?
The idea is to associate two French composers and a foreigner who came to Paris for public recognition. I have great admiration for Mozart’s “Symphony No. 31”. She is very ambitious, very virtuoso. Incredibly demanding, it is very difficult to play. Personally, I have a great weakness for Ravel’s work. And how can we not like this great classic that is Berlioz’s “Fantastic Symphony”?
How is your start to the season going?
We are very happy to be able to welcome the public again after what we have seen and experienced. Audience who responds rather present if the lack of foreign spectators, especially from Asia and North America, made us lose 20% of attendance. There are therefore fewer people but each show meets an extremely warm welcome. We feel the happiness of the people to find the rooms, to renew the link with the artists.
In Paris, you program “Rigoletto”, “Turandot” and the lesser known “Alcina”. What is a good opera?
An opera for which we have managed to create a team that works in the same direction and with the same conviction. This gives a strength to the show, beyond the taste that one may or may not have for such and such a work.
Do you know Toulouse?
I last came about fifteen years ago and saw the Halle aux grains and the Théâtre du Capitole, a hall that has always been familiar to me. In Toulouse, I particularly appreciate Christophe Ghristi (artistic director of the Théâtre du Capitole, Editor’s note) and Thierry d’Argoubet (general delegate of the Orchester du Capitole). Their work is of very high quality. As for Tugan Sokhiev (musical director of the Capitol), he has led an extremely brilliant career since his arrival in Toulouse and then in Moscow.