Dresden, 6 June 2024. Last performed in Dresden in June 1929, Hector Berlioz’s rarely heard flamboyant opera »Benvenuto Cellini« will light up the Semperoper stage on Saturday, 29 June 2024. For this final new production under his leadership, Peter Theiler has once again recruited director Barbora Horáková to create her fourth staging for the Saxon State Opera during his time in office.
The opera, which premiered in Paris in 1838, is based on the memoirs of the eponymous Florentine sculptor, goldsmith and Renaissance »uomo universale« Benvenuto Cellini. The fictitious plot portrays some dramatic events over a three-day period in the life of this historical free spirit, whose scandalous autobiography continues to astonish readers to this day. In Berlioz’s opéra-comique, set during the Roman carnival of 1532, Cellini – all the while battling for the hand of his lover Teresa and against the machinations of powerful rivals – is commissioned to create a flawless artwork for the Pope. However, the artistic genius is forced to sacrifice all his previous creations to produce this unique object.
The complex score for »Benvenuto Cellini«, which already deeply impressed Wagner, is renowned for its brilliant orchestration, the extraordinary demands it places on the soloists and the magnificent choral scenes. In Dresden, Milanese maestro Giampaolo Bisanti will conduct the Weimar version of this work. Audience members on the premiere evening can look forward to numerous role debuts including Anton Rositskiy in the title role and Tuuli Takala as his beloved Teresa.
Peter Theiler: »This is my final new production in Dresden as the Semperoper’s Artistic Director. It’s a real pleasure for me personally to be able to add one of my favourite operas, here staged by Barbora Horáková, to our French repertoire. This brilliant and spectacular opera by the Romantic musical mastermind Hector Berlioz was last staged in Dresden almost 100 years ago. It continues to fascinate audiences today with its mix of comedy and tragedy, the madcap atmosphere of a Roman carnival and, of course, one man’s uncompromising desire to create something great and artistically breathtaking.«
»Benvenuto Cellini« by Hector Berlioz
Staging by Barbora Horáková
Premiere in the Semperoper on Saturday, 29 June 2024.
Additional performances in July, August and September 2024.
Featuring Anton Rositskiy and Tuuli Takala as well as Ante Jerkunica, Jérôme Boutilliyser and Tilmann Rönnebeck.
The Staatskapelle Dresden will be conducted by Giampaolo Bisanti. Also on stage: the Saxon State Opera Chorus
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
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Photo: Premiere motif of »Benvenuto Cellini« © Martin Perlaki. The motif is part of the artistic concept for the premiere posters 2023/24 with a series of works by Martin Perlaki.