2017年2月アーカイブ

It was six months after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 that the Bayerische Staatsoper toured Japan. It was with the fullest cooperation between the Company and NBS to realize the tour after such a big incident. As the result, our relationship has become stronger. Six years since then, we are now working closely together to prepare the Company's Japanese tour in September 2017.

Germany is well known as the most operatic country in the world in terms of the number of performances as well as that of opera houses in the nation. The Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich has its origin as the first free-standing opera house in Germany in the mid-17th century. Today, It is recognized as one of the best opera houses in Europe, being on par with the Teatro alla Scala and the Wiener Staatsoper.

Munich's history has always developed along with musical milestones. It was In Munich that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart won his international fame with the premiere of his first opera seria in the 18th century. In the following century, the world premieres of four masterpieces of Richard Wagner realized by the support of King Ludwig II made Munich the center of European musical world. Today, at the Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich Opera Festival is held every summer for a month which was originally intended to present works by Mozart and Wagner only. These facts clearly explains that the operas by the two giants have always been the Company's most important repertoire performances.

Die Zauberflöte was premiered in Munich in 1793. Ever since, the masterpiece has been special for the people of Munich. August Everding's production has been loved for so many years because The Bayerische Staatsoper takes special pride in it.

It is quite natural that Munich has a long list of best Wagnerian conductors, having once been the "capital of Wagnerian opera". Not to mention, Kirill Petrenko, the Company's General Music Director, is one of them who has already joined the historical list. Petrenko has achieved international acclaim with conducting of Wagner's works including Der Ring des Nibelungen and is now recognized as one of the best conductors in European music scene. He was also named future Chief Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 2019. His relationship with the Company and orchestra has naturally matured after four seasons. We cannot imagine any better timing for his Japanese debut than this upcoming tour in Fall.

Tannhäuser by a Dream Team, Petrenko, Castellucci and Vogt

Tannhäuser is a romantic opera in three acts written by Richard Wagner based on medieval history and legend. It talks about love and salvation. The title hero, Tannhäuser is torn between his love for the maidenly Elisabeth and the worldly-wise goddess Venus. Can they save him? Wagner's music draws you into a sensual whirlpool at one moment, but the next, it suddenly develops spiritual sublimation. In his grandiose music depicting the "nature of love", an eternal and universal theme, our own souls cannot escape from being shook.

Naturally, there are several productions that portrays its theme in various ways. Romeo Castellucci, is the creator of a new production which will be premiered in May 2017. Italian director Castellucci is fully trusted by Nikolaus Bachler, Intendant Bayerische Staatsoper, who calls him the "magician of stage design and directing". About his new production, Castellucci says "Tannhäuser is the man in crisis in the concept of love, which is the mirror and source of all musicians and artists. Therefore the scenery will be more spiritual so that you cannot specify the time or place." The exposure of magic tricks needs to be waited impatiently until its premiere.

Another reason that makes you impatient must undoubtedly be Kirill Petrenko's Japanese debut. He has already achieved overwhelming acclaim with his conducting of Wagner. He says he is thrilled to conduct the new production.

Last but not least, one of the world's leading Wagnerian tenors, Klaus Florian Vogt, will also join the new production to sing as Tannhäuser for the first time in his career.

The performances should be phenomenal that cannot be missed.

Legenday Production by August Everding, "Treasure" of the Bayerische Staatsoper

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is one of the world's most famous operas of Mozart, loved by audiences of all generations. It is a story of Prince Tamino's adventure to rescue, with a help of magic flute, an enslaved Princess, Pamina, and finally ensure the triumph of truth and justice. Mozart wrote this joyful and sometimes enigmatic fairy tale for ordinary people, not for nobility. With his sublime music and fantastic story, it is almost heavenly bliss.

Works by W.A.Mozart, R. Wagner and R. Strauss have always been the Bayerische Staatsoper's piller of its repertoire, and the Company has also created several new productions of Mozart's operas. August Everding's version of Die Zauberflöte is an exception. They say that It is loved by the people too much, a legacy that they cannot change. August Everding is one of the world's greatest stage directors who also served as the Intendant Bayerische Staatsoper from 1977 to 1982. His production combined with wondrous stage portrait by Jürgen Rose fully depicts the magic of the opera.

Asher Fisch began his conducting career as Daniel Barenboim's assistant. He is also an accomplished pianist. Since his debut at the Los Angeles Opera in 1995, he has conducted at opera houses all over the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, Berlin, Vienna, Teatro alla Scala, Paris Opera, and the Royal Opera House to name a few. His conducting this legendary production of Die Zauberflöte is clear evidence that the Company and orchestra put complete confidence in him.

August Everding's Die Zauberflöte is the "treasure" of the Bayerische Staatsoper. The treasure will be brought to Japan this Fall.