
This performance of 2014 can be considered as a reference on account of the quality of the vocal material involved and because the daring staging of Austrian Martin Kušej is rich in meaning within the context of the global challenges of today. He proposes a reflection on war, on vengeance and also on the mark of guilt which ends with the joie de vivre and the expansion of passions. In the intimacy of Calatrava, his is a post-Bauhaus picture of a Fascist neatness which then contrasts with the chaos of battles, the abyss of misery and the sexual stampede after triumph or failure. In this context, religion, instead of being a consolation is both an escape and the tomb of humanity; the chapel wherein Leonora hides is made out of huge crosses and in one of them, just for a moment, Don Álvaro seems crucified by his fate.

Jonas Kaufmann
Don Alvaro

Anja Harteros
Donna Leonora

Ludovic Tézier
Don Carlos de Vargas

Nadia Krasteva
Preziosilla

Vitalij Kowaljow
Padre Guardiano
Renato Girolami
Fra Melitone

Heike Grötzinger
Curra

Vitalij Kowaljow
Marqués de Calatrava
Francesco Petrozzi
Mastro Trabucco
Christian Rieger
Alcalde
Asher Fisch
Conductor

Aria
Aria

Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier @ Zurich Opera House
Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier @ Zurich Opera House

The Metropolitan Opera: Norma
The Metropolitan Opera: Norma

The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel
The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel

The Metropolitan Opera: Tosca
The Metropolitan Opera: Tosca

Billy Budd
Billy Budd

Macbeth
Macbeth

Kaufmann's Otello at the Royal Opera House
Kaufmann's Otello at the Royal Opera House

The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute

Wozzeck
Wozzeck

Tannhäuser
Tannhäuser

Verdi La Traviata
Verdi La Traviata