La chronique et les vidéos d'Eléonore :
Vienna State Opera - 27 10 25
ROLANDO in PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE
Majestuous and sensitive in a mysterious universe with poetry, beyond space and time
I had profound, breathtaking experiences with his Pelléas in Berlin, in 2018 and in Hamburg, in 2019..
ROLANDO in this role which fits him like a glove, in an absolutely ideal encounter of singer and part.
He perfectly identifies with this extremely exciting character, using his whole body, the widest range of his emotions to transmit all very deep psychological facets of Pelléas.
The countless nuances of his voice, his infinite taste in feelings and manners, the refined style make his Pelléas uncommonly powerful.
Symbolism is the fundamental element of the opera, it allows to show the mystical state of mind of the personalities who are living in an extremely cold environment in which the fatal love is emerging.The staging accentuates the complete alienation and emotional but also physical isolation of the main characters, their deadly inability to express themselves.
Water is a fundamental key element of the staging through the whole piece, it is constantly present. Even the curtain separating the different scenes depicts the rough sea. For Pelléas, Marco Arturo Marelli, the stage director has surprising, sometimes even reckless and extremely audacious challenges : As an unusual solution on opera stages, Pelléas acts and sings for a long time in cold water, all his suit being completely wet.
Another exceptional challenge requiring immense physical effort is the presence of thin planks. Rolando walks on these planks with acrobatic, amazing skill, all the while singing Debussy's complicated music and paying attention to the text, which has a special meaning and importance in this opera.
Rolando's opinion according to which a singer has to be also an athlete, has never been truer, and more appropriate for this situation.
Kate Lindsey performed a memorable Mélisande. Her acting offered a profound impression. In the death scene, her Mélisande dying, nearing death, brought deeply tragic moments. Her great mezzo-soprano voice expressed the finest feelings. Loved her amazing pianissimi.
From the Hamburg performances, I know the great art and voice of Simon Keenlyside. He performed and sang a strong and cruel Golaud.
In their roles, Jean Teitgen as Arkel, Zoryana Kushpler as Genevieve, Hannah-Theres Weigl as Yniold added their talent to the success of the opera.
The performance is full of deeply touching moments. One of the most touching : Pelléas stands on the stage as an adult man, but when Golaud pronounces these words : "Vous êtes des enfants, vous êtes des enfants!" (You are children! You are children!), he turns into a child. Rolando's movement and geste are indescribable ... Tragic and painful.
With Alain Altinoglu as the conductor of the evening, the authenticity of the music and its purest beauty are guaranteed, the musicians of the Vienna State Opera brought their perfect and beautiful sound!
The grateful audience thanked the fantastic performance of the singers and musicians with a standing ovation!
Rolando's superb, sublime singing and stage presence were deeply connected to the audience!
KÖSZÖNÖM, ROLANDO!!!
Eléonore