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Christoph Waltz’ “Fidelio” as a musical and cinematic highlight None other than Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz was engaged by the Theater an der Wien to direct the new production of “Fidelio”. In his third opera production, Waltz is staging the second version (from 1806) of the only hapless Beethoven opera in the breathtaking stage design by the German-American architectural firm Barkow Leibinger. The abstract staircase landscape in the form of a double helix, which symbolizes the prison, extends the space into the rear theater and is infinitely changeable in the concept of the Hollywood-tested lighting designer Henry Braham. The production, which had been sold out months before, never had its stage premiere because the Theater an der Wien had to close a few days earlier due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Thanks to the incredible dedication of all those involved, the Opera House could be converted into a film studio at short notice, so that the production of Beethoven’s flaming musical plea for freedom and humanity finally reached its audience. Manfred Honeck at the podium of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra leads a strong cast of singers: Nicole Chevalier enchants vocally and dramatically in her stage debut as Leonore, Eric Cutler gives Florestan a powerful voice. Christof Fischesser, Gábor Bretz, Mélissa Petit complete the vocal ensemble. |
