The 2024-2025 season at the Teatro Real kicks off with the première of a tribute to the tenor, José Carreras on the 50th anniversary of his performance of Adriana Lecouvreur in Madrid, at the Teatro de la Zarzuela (1974), alongside Montserrat Caballé. This show can be seen on 23, 25, 26, 28 and 29 September and on 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11 October and is conducted by Nicola Luisotti with stage management by David McVicar.
It is a production in four acts composed by Francesco Cilea with a libretto by Arturo Colautti, based on the play of the same name by Eugène Scribe and Ernest Legouvé. The story is inspired by the real life of Adrienne Lecouvreur, a famous actress of the Comédie-Française who died in mysterious circumstances in 1730.
Adrienne falls madly in love with the handsome military officer, Maurizio, Count of Saxony. However, there is an obstacle in her way: the Princess of Bouillon, who also feels deep affection for Maurizio. To hide his romance with Adrienne, Maurizio enlists the help of his friend Michonnet, director of the Comédie-Française, who is also secretly in love with Adrienne. This love triangle is further complicated when the Princess of Bouillon hatches a plan to win Maurizio's heart. Therefore, the Princess of Bouillon sends Adrienne a bouquet of poisoned violets, passing them off as a gift from her secret admirer.
It premièred in 1902 at the Teatro Lirico in Milan (Italy) and is now considered to be one of the most important pieces in the Italian verismo repertoire. For this special occasion, the show features a stellar cast thanks to the participation of artists of the likes of Ermonela Jaho, Maria Agresta or Elīna Granča.
Artistic File:
- Musical Director - Nicola Luisotti
- Stage Director - David McVicar
- Stage Design - Charles Edwards
- Costumes - Brigitte Reiffenstuel
- Lighting - Adam Silverman
- Choreography - Andrew George
- Choirmaster - José Luis Basso
Cast:
- Adriana Lecouvreur - Ermonela Jaho (23, 26, 29 Sep; 2, 5, 8, 11 Oct) and Maria Agresta (25, 28 Sep; 1, 4, 7, 10 Oct)
- Maurizio - Brian Jagde (23, 26, 29 Sep; 2, 5, 8, 11 Oct) and Matthew Polenzani (25, 28 Sep; 1, 4, 7, 10 Oct)
- Prince of Bouillon - Maurizio Muraro
- Princess of Bouillon - Elīna Garanča (23, 26, 29 Sep; 2, 5, 8, 11 Oct) and Ekaterina Semenchuk (25, 28 Sep; 1, 4, 7, 10 Oct)
- Michonnet - Nicola Alaimo (23, 26, 29 Sep; 2, 5, 8, 11 Oct) and Manel Esteve (25, 28 Sep; 1, 4, 7, 10 Oct)
- Quinault - David Lagares
- Poisson - Vicenç Esteve
- Mademoiselle Jouvenot - Sylvia Schwartz
- Mademoiselle Dangeville - Monica Bacelli
- Abate de Chazeuil - Mikeldi Atxanlandabaso (23, 26, 29 Sep; 2, 5, 8, 11 Oct) and Josep Fadó (25, 28 Sep; 1, 4, 7, 10 Oct)
- Orchestra and Choir - Teatro Real Resident Orchestra and Choir
Programme:
Opera in Four Acts
- Music by Francesco Cilea (1866-1950)
- Libretto by Arturo Colautti, based on the theatre play of the same name by Eugène Scribe and Ernest Legouvé
- Premièred at the Teatro Lírico in Milan on 6 November 1902
- Première at the Teatro Real
- Production by the Royal Opera House, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Wiener Staatsoper, National Opera in Paris and San Francisco Opera
