Opéra de Marseille – A worthy ‘crisis’ Valkyrie
It is a “semi-stage” version which had been announced for ” The Valkyrie at the Marseille Opera. So we didn’t really know what to expect. And in the end, if we except the cuts depriving us of about twenty minutes of music, including five or six removed from the famous ride, we must recognize that this production, performed in difficult conditions, distributed satisfaction.
- Exceptional confrontation between Fricka (Aude Extrémo) and Wotan (Samuel Youn). A great moment of Wagnerian music and song. (Photo Christian Dresse)
Starting with the discovery of a version for medium-sized orchestra arranged by Eberhard Kloke which was given for the first time in France on this occasion. Installed at the back of the stage, hidden by a curtain of black tulle, the fifty or so musicians gathered for the occasion were placed under the direction of Adrian Prabava who, like a good Wagnerian, remembered that this work is the most intimate of the cycle. of the Ring, offering a nuanced and fine reading capable of exacerbating the feelings of the protagonists.
Intimate Valkyrie
- Wotan (Samuel Youn), the Valkyries and, in the front row, Brünnhilde (Petra Lang). (Photo Christian Dresse)
Deprived of sets, the action takes place on the fore stage, Charles Roubaud has also highlighted the intimate nature of this work, making the soloists work on the strength of their reciprocal relationships. All with the support of projections and videos conducive to the installation of environments in perfect harmony with the action. We regret however, and the director has nothing to do with it, the absence of this ride which, in the 2007 production – which should have been repeated this year – surprised and seduced with projected steeds which seemed enter the room.
Two mezzos at the top
On the distribution side, the great satisfaction came from two French mezzos, Sophie Koch, Sieglinde and Aude Extrémo who played Fricka. An assured stage presence, a beautiful vocal projection and power allowed Sophie Koch to succeed in her role while Aude Extrémo offered, with Samuel Youn, Wotan, an exceptionally intense duo. A great moment, both vocal and scenic, worthy of the best of Wagnerian interpretations.
In the role of Brünnhilde, Petra Lang seemed to us somewhat withdrawn. As for the Valkyries, they did quite well what remained to be done… On the male side of the cast, Samuel Youn, an assured, precise and powerful bass baritone, gave all his dimension to a Wotan in full questioning while Nikolaï Schukoff embodied without badly a Siegmund burning with an incestuous love at the end of a desperate flight; it must be said that the Austrian tenor is a specialist in this role. As for Nicolas Courjal, he easily embodied a darkly jealous Hunding. In the end, this Valkyrie offered an interesting musical moment, at the end of the premiere on Wednesday evening, by the applause fed by the public.
Michel EGEA
Other performances on February 13 at 2:30 p.m. and February 16 at 7 p.m. Reservations by telephone on 04 91 55 11 10 or 04 91 55 20 43.
opera.marseille.fr.