A premiere of "Das Liebesverbot" by R. Wagner in "Helikon-Opera"

27.10.2011

A premiere of "Das Liebesverbot" by R. Wagner in "Helikon-Opera"

On the 26th of October 2011 Moscow music theatre "Helikon-Opera" under Dmitry Bertman presented the premier of "Das Liebesverbot" performance by R. Wagner, with Wagner's libretto upon W. Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" play. This comic Wagner's opera has never been staged in Russia.

“Das Liebesverbot” was written by Wagner, when he was only 22 years old. The young composer hadn’t realized by then that his mission was the grand epics from German mythology. He was only starting his brilliant career as an opera conductor in Magdeburg’s theatre, he was fond of French and Italian operas and was in love with Minna Planner, his future wife.  It had all been reflected in great composer’s second opera.

The vice-king of Sicily ignores local traditions and forbids carnivals, wine and free love under pain of death. As Claudio, who is found guilty in these, was arrested, the building of the Palace of Happiness had been stopped. Claudio’s friends are looking the ways to set him free and to cancel the ridiculous bans. It came out that the vice-king is a sinner himself and his deserted lover had found a shelter in a convent. Sicilians could unmask the deputy, catching him doing things he forbade himself. The arrival of the King consolidated their success, the King gave the go-ahead to continue the building process.

“Helikon-Opera” is the first theatre in Russia to stage this little known joyful opera by a “twilight German genius” about the opposition of youth, talent, independence, which are eager for the freedom of love and creativity, on the one side, and the hypocrisy and the political situation covered by the asceticism and morality on the other.

The stage director of “Das Liebesverbot” is Dmitry Bertman, conductor - Vladimir Ponkin. A famous Austrian theatre designer Hartmuth Schoerghoffer has been working under a decoration set. The collaboration of Schoerghoffer and Bertman is not accidental. Their common list of productions include ten joint performances in different countries of the world, among which are “The Queen of Spades” (2009) and “Andre Schenier” in Swedish Royal Opera (2010), “Intizar” in Baku (2010), “Rusalka” by A. Dvorak in Canadian Opera Company in Toronto (2009) and some other. In 2009 H. Schoerghoffer staged “Das Ring des Nibelungen” by R. Wagner in National Concert Hall named after B. Bartok in Budapest. The premiere in “Helikon-Opera” is the first work of an Austrian designer in Moscow. The light designer is Damir Ismagilov, choreographer – Edwald Smirnov.

The premiere performance was played by soloist Alexey Dedov (Friedrich), Andrey Palamarchuk (Lucio), Vadim Letunov (Claudio), Vladimir Bolotin (Antonio), Dmitry Skorikov (Andzhelo), Karina A. Flores (Isabella), Elena Semenova (Mariana), Dmitry Ovchinnikov (Brigella), Vladimir Kovarsky (Danieli), Ekaterina Oblezova (Dorella), Anatoly Ponomarev (Pontius Pilatus), artists of the choir and orchestra. The public met the premiere with ovations.

Guests: People's artist of Russia George Ansimov with his spouse
Rector of Russian Academy of Theatrical Arts Karina Melik-Pashaeva, Chief Set and Costume Designers of "Helikon-Opera" Igor Nezhny and Tatiana Tulubieva
Hartmut Schoerghoffer and Technical Director of "Helikon-Opera" Rostislav Protasov   Viktor Akulov (Council of Federation)
People's Artists of Russia Maria Lemesheva, People's Artist of RSFSR Irina Maslennikova, maestro Eri Klas, Director of "Days of Opera in Saaremaa" Festival Arne Mikk (Estonia)
George Ansimov with his spouse, Dmitry Bertman
Hartmut Schoerghoffer and Artistic and Executive Director of Moscow State Academic Children Music Theatre named after Natalia Sats George Isaakyan	Ludmila Alekseevna (Bertman's mother) and Principal Conductor of "Helikon-Opera" Vladimir Ponkin
Dmitry Bertman and Karina Melik-Pashaeva	Dmitry Ovchinnikov (Brighella) after premiere performance

Photos by Vasily Frolov and Ivan Gorbulich