Aix-en-Provence Orange Love Affair

[uffeviking]

During their 2004 Festival this town produced a very lively and exhilerating version of Prokofiev's The Love for three Oranges with an all Russian cast except the orchestra: The Mahler Chamber Orchestra a group of super musicians under the expert and inspired leadership of the young conductor Tugan Sokhiev. I thought of the time a few years ago when new young Finnish conductors appeared on the concert and opera stages, time now for the young Russians to show us what they can do? Everybody knows the famous march but somehow Sokhiev did something with his musicians to make it sound different, and of course not dropping notes written by Prokofiev. It's all more compact, tighter, no loose ends or trailing notes. I love his conducting all through the opera.

Everyone of the singers were stars! Those full Russian voices, whether tenors, basses or sopranos, but it was Trouffaldino , Kirill Dushechkin dominating with his huge body and voice. Among the multitude of soloists, Ekaterina Shimanovitch, the villainous Fata Morgana also deserves special mention.

Philippe Calvario another young talent, accomplished the almost impossible, holding together the mass of soloists and extras together on this fairly small stage. He very sucessfully used yards and yards of red curtains to resemble opera stage partitions and sets, pulled open and shut by the artists. The set director Jean-Marc Stehlé and costume designer Aurore Popineau teamed up with the director create this production. I have to mention the costume designer whose fantasy with colours and material in the outfits showed outstanding talent.

This is a DVD I will enjoy many times with it's special cast and orchestra.

[Gurn Blanston]

Thanks for the review, Uffe. I haven't seen this opera before, just heard a highlight disk a couple of years ago. But Prokofiev's music has always had a great attraction for me, probably more than any other 20th century composer. And as I can see, the buxom Ms. Shimanovitch has her own attractions...    So with good production values and good performances, this looks to be my opportunity to become acquainted with.



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