“Grand opera at its grandest – a gorgeous visual and musical treat,” declared The Telegraph of this lavish production of Verdi’s rarely-performed Les Vêpres siciliennes, the magnificent five-act grand opéra that first took Paris by storm in 1855.
Presented in its Covent Garden premiere in Autumn 2013, this staging – directed by Stefan Herheim and conducted by the Royal Opera’s Music Director, Verdi specialist Sir Antonio Pappano – went on to win the prestigious Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production. The Sunday Times hailed it “the best the Verdi year in Britain has to offer,” praising the standout event of the Verdi bicentenary celebrations. “The Royal Opera has done its favourite composer proud.”
All four leading roles in Les Vêpres siciliennes require exceptional singers, but the soprano and tenor must meet almost superhuman demands. Considered one of the most promising Verdians of her generation, the French-trained Armenian soprano Lianna Haroutounian rises to all these challenges as the Duchess Hélène. American tenor Bryan Hymel, whose recital album Héroïque is also released on Warner Classics in February 2015, takes on one of Verdi’s highest tenor roles. “Bryan Hymel was the admirable and ardent Henri,” wrote Opera magazine, “with his turbo-boosted bel canto tenor rising fearlessly to the top notes.” His father (and enemy) Montfort is sung by the imposing and charismatic baritone Michael Volle, and the bass Erwin Schrott gives a starry performance as the fanatical Procida.
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