Name: Alceste
Start: 2014-02-27T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2014-03-15T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Teatro Real

Organization

Singer

Tenor

Paul Groves

Admeto

Tom Randle

Soprano

Angela Denoke

Alceste

Sofia Soloviy

Magnus Staveland

Evandro

Bass

Thomas Oliemans

Ercole

Isaac Galán

Apollo

Conductor

Ivor Bolton

Stage director

Krzysztof Warlikowski

Set designer

Małgorzata Szczęśniak

Costume designer

Video designer

Denis Guéguin

Lighting designer

Felice Ross

Choreographer

Claude Bardouil

Chorus master

Andrés Máspero

Willard White

High Priest of Apollo

The Infernal God

Fernando Radó

the Herald

the Oracle

Rodrigo Álvarez

Alceste's servant

Teatro Real de Madrid

Others

Coro Intermezzo

Orchestra

Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid

Madrid

Spain

Teatro Real

return to the essence of opera is perceived in the work of Gluck. Following the ideas put forward by Rousseau, he brings the dramatic action to the fore and discards all unnecessary ornamentation. A transitional figure between Baroque and Classicism, Gluck often turned to subjects from Antiquity, seeking what he called “beautiful simplicity”.

In Alceste, Gluck not only achieved a radically innovative score, he also gave dignity to women who were so often treated carelessly in the libertine 18th century. In his idealisation of the  feminine figure, he turns to characters like Iphigenia and Alceste, prepared to sacrifice themselves instead of  their consorts, taking their place among the noblest heroines of universal literature since Euripides.

Alceste by Christoph Willibald Gluck, from Teatro Real Madrid, 2014. Directed by Stéphane Metge, conductor Ivor Bolton. Starring Paul Groves (Admète), Angela Denoke (Alceste), Willard White (High Priest of Apollon / Thanatos), Magnus Staveland (Évandre), Thomas Oliemans (Hercule), Isaac Galàn (Apollon), Fernando Radó (An herald / an oracle)

On the 300th anniversary of Christoph Willibald Gluck, 2014
A musical and dramatic masterpiece between Baroque and Classical, staged by Krysztof Warlikowski as a daring bridge between Antiquity and Princess Diana’s story, on the value of sacrifice.

Watch the full opera:https://bit.ly/ALCESTE-TeatroRealMadrid
Subscribe to EuroArts:https://goo.gl/jrui3M

Paul Groves - Admète
Angela Denoke - Alceste
Willard White - High Priest of Apollon / Thanatos
Magnus Staveland - Évandre
Thomas Oliemans - Hercule
Isaac Galàn - Apollon
Fernando Radó - An herald / an oracle

Krzysztof Warlikowski - stage director
Malgorzata Szczesniak - set and costume designer

Libretto by Marie Francois-Louis Gand, Le Blanc du Roullet, after Ranieri de Calzabigi‘s work about Euripides tragedy Alcestis.

To celebrate the 300th anniversary of Christoph Willibald Gluck, a new and amazing production at Teatro Real in Madrid, staged by Krysztof Warlikowski. A musical and dramatic masterpiece between Baroque and Classical, staged as a daring bridge between Antiquity and Princess Diana’s story, on the value of sacrifice.

On the 300th anniversary of Christoph Willibald Gluck, 2014
A musical and dramatic masterpiece between Baroque and Classical, staged by Krysztof Warlikowski as a daring bridge between Antiquity and Princess Diana’s story, on the value of sacrifice.

Watch the full opera: https://bit.ly/ALCESTE-TeatroRealMadrid
Subscribe to EuroArts: https://goo.gl/jrui3M

Paul Groves - Admète
Angela Denoke - Alceste
Willard White - High Priest of Apollon / Thanatos
Magnus Staveland - Évandre
Thomas Oliemans - Hercule
Isaac Galàn - Apollon
Fernando Radó - An herald / an oracle

Choir and Orchestra Teatro Real de Madrid
Ivor Bolton - conductor

Krzysztof Warlikowski - stage director
Malgorzata Szczesniak - set and costume designer

Libretto by Marie Francois-Louis Gand, Le Blanc du Roullet, after Ranieri de Calzabigi‘s work about Euripides tragedy Alcestis.

To celebrate the 300th anniversary of Christoph Willibald Gluck, a new and amazing production at Teatro Real in Madrid, staged by Krysztof Warlikowski. A musical and dramatic masterpiece between Baroque and Classical, staged as a daring bridge between Antiquity and Princess Diana’s story, on the value of sacrifice.

Krzysztof Warlikowski interprets the tortured classical figure of Queen Alceste as Lady Di: Angela Denoke makes the pain and courage of Gluck's heroine palpable. Ivor Bolton hits the right tone with the Madrid orchestra - though unfortunately, the connection to the staging is often tenuous, especially when it comes to the chorus. A Madrid opera production from early 2014, shortly before the death of the visionary artistic director Gérard Mortier.

Alceste Gluck

Public

Approved

Production booklet

Further reading