Mefistofele

Arrigo Boito

 

Libretto: the composer after the play Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

First Performance: Teatro alla Scala, Milano, March 6, 1868

First Peformance at the Israeli Opera: January 28, 2009

The Italian version of the Faust story in which an old learned man sells his soul to the devil and becomes a young lover. An exquisite choral opera in a classic production with striking costumes by Buki Schiff.

Synopsis

Production's Album

Photos: Yossi Zwecker        

Dates

Wed 28.1.09 (20:00), Thurs 29.1.09 (20:00), Fri 29.1.09 (13:00), Sat 28.1.09 (20:00),

Mon 1.2.09 (20:00), Tues 3.2.09 (20:00), Wed 4.2.09 (20:00), Thurs 5.2.09 (20:00)Fri 6.2.09 (13:00), Sat 7.2.09 (20:00), Mon 9.2.09 (20:00), Tues 10.2.09 (20:00)

Towards Opening: Sat 24.1.09 (11:00)

Opera Talkback: Thurs 29.1.09, Mon 1.2.09, Mon 9.2.09

Reviews

The Israeli Opera production is one of the most beautiful and impressive ever to be presented on its stage. The visual richness is stunning in its beauty replete with the clouds projection at the beginning, the lighting and the colorful costumes. This opera has a lot of place for the chorus and the director Jean Louis Grinda gives the chorus special dramatic power. (Elyakim Yaron, Maariv, February 1, 2009)

Boito's music is full with fire and conductor Omer Wellber creates a very impressive result out of it. Wellber not only conducts with vitality he also adds an extra dimension when the plot weakens. Legendary bass Paata Burchuladze conquered the stage and filled our hearts with extraordinary grand singing as Mefistofele the devil. Michele Crider as Margherita was sensational and her singing in her death scene was very emotional. Hugh Smith as Faust had beautiful moments. (Ora Binur, Maariv February 1, 2009)

"Costume designer Buki Shiff made stunning costumes … Paata Burchuladze is amazing in the lead." (Thomas Tillmann, Online Musik Magazin)