Iphigénie en Tauride opens in two weeks!

On November 27, Stephen Wadsworth’s new production of Gluck’s late masterpiece Iphigénie en Tauride will open at the Met. Led by French conductor Louis Langrée, who makes his company debut, it will be the third new production of the season. Iphigénie is the last of the composers so-called “reform operas:” “Gluck envisioned a music drama that was really stripped clear of all of the excesses of decorative art,” the director explains, “which in the middle of the 18th century was quite a radical act. The characters’ needs and passions are laid bare in a pure narrative, all musical and dramatic gestures are simplified, all utterance is honest and uncompromising. Hugely radical! And hugely influential.”

A co-production with Seattle Opera, Wadsworth’s staging premiered there in October to rave reviews. At the Met, the cast includes today’s foremost interpreter of the title role, mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, the legendary Plácido Domingo in his role debut as her brother Oreste, and Paul Groves as Pylade.

Check back daily for conversations with the singers and production team and to read the latest rehearsal news.

This entry was posted by Philipp Brieler on Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 at 11:15 am and is filed under New Production Countdown. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.