The production is by Otto Schenk, who shaped the opera house on the Ring for many years and was awarded the highest honor of the Vienna State Opera, honorary membership. Sometimes criticized as "too modern" in his time, his craftsmanship was always pointed out, especially with regard to the drawing of characters. In his work, it was always important to Schenk to develop individual personalities for all roles, including the characters portrayed by choristers and extras, and to make them "human" on stage - in the best sense of the word. In the case of the Andrea Chénier premiere in 1981, the Süddeutsche Zeitung described it as follows: "His love was for the mass scenes, in which each chorister performed his own little play with great attention to detail."

 

"As a musician, Giordano stands between the times. His rise coincided with that of Mascagni and Leoncavallo, but he was more closely related to Cilèa, Franchetti and Smareglia, who wanted to transfer Wagnerian accompagnato to Italian opera. Singable melodies envelop the four acts, warmly underpinned by a massive harmony and a compact orchestra. But he is also no stranger to Puccini's slender swordplay. He also knows the provocative power of the pause, the brutal accent, the unexpected attack of a single instrumental effect." (Elsa Bienenfeld, 1926)

 

Gustav Mahler planned the Viennese premiere of Andrea Chénier in the Haus am Ring during his time as director, which was so important for the opera house - he had already successfully staged the opera in Hamburg. However, due to cost-cutting measures, the Obersthofmeisteramt refused permission for the performance. The Viennese premiere therefore finally took place in 1909 at the "Kaiser Jubiläums-Stadttheater" (today's Vienna Volksoper). The first state opera performance did not take place until 1926.

 

Order your tickets for the Vienna State Opera and book your tickets now at viennaticket.at.

 

(Source: wiener-staatsoper.at)