Music by Hector Berlioz Libretto by the composer after motifs from Virgil’s Aeneid
Mariinsky Theatre Chorus and Symphony Orchestra
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko Musical Preparation: Natalia Mordashova French language coach: Ksenia Klimenko
It has happened: Les Troyens, Hector Berlioz’ epic operatic
duologue, over two evenings at the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky
Theatre, formed the intellectual and musical highpoint of the Stars of the White Nights.
The cyclopean opera construction, with the huge, sculpturally defined
choral scenes, the inexpressible beauty of the love duets, the bold
symphonic scenes and wild dances of the Nubian slaves, was conducted by
Valery Gergiev on an ecstatic high, and at the same time it was
surprisingly focussed. It was a long upsurge controlled by reason; a
fire flaming up evenly throughout the entire opera. Not for a second
did the tension drop; the immense orchestra sounded extraordinarily
intense and vivid, quickly and harmoniously rising on its rear legs in
the thunderous, mighty fortissimo at the beck and call of the tiny
matchstick squeezed between the maestro’s fingers. <…>
After this performance of Les Troyens,
an opera all but unknown in Russia, one thing was clear: it is one of
the most successful and effective repertoire steps the theatre has made
in recent years.
Gyulyara Sadykh-Zade. Controlled Ecstasy. Kultura
The fact that the Mariinsky Theatre set its sights upon this most
grandiose work by Hector Berlioz can but please. Here several elements
all happily came together, which should ensure the success of this
project. First, the vivid and picturesque music by Berlioz, which
Valery Gergiev always brings to live with unusual power and
penetration, his interpretations of the composer’s works are greatly
esteemed throughout the world… On the other hand, the concert
performance demonstrated the company’s abilities… Not just the
beautiful “finishing” sound of the orchestra, but also the extremely
interesting vocal works brought joy to the audiences.
Vera Stepanovskaua. Arts Lovers’ Journal
Hector Berlioz’ epic duologue Les Troyens at the Concert Hall
looked to be the most ambitious venture. Valery Gergiev prefers to play
in the major league, and he was highly drawn by this operatic Ulysses, striving towards infinity. Under his baton, the Mariinsky’s singers and orchestra performed Les Troyens with the most amazing respect for the sound…
Leila Guchmazova. Itogi
The highlighting of performances by age represents recommendations.
This highlighting is being used in accordance with Federal Law N139-FZ dated 28 July 2012 “On the introduction of changes to the Federal Law ‘On the protection of children from information that may be harmful to their health and development’ and other legislative acts of the Russian Federation.”
