Salomes the new production has been prepared by conductor Kent Nagano and director Dmitriy Chernyakov. The play is a harrowing psychological thriller set at the birthday celebration of Herod, Salome’s stepfather. No other opera director today delves as deeply into the psychology of characters as Dmitriy Chernyakov, and his work with singers surprises me every time – the precision and naturalness with which they play and interact with each other is rare even in a drama theater. The combination of all these qualities makes Dmitry Chernyakov’s performances a big event, and this time the impression is enhanced by the temperamental performance of maestro Kenta Nagano and the orchestra.
The role of Salome in director Romeo Castellucci’s play at the Salzburg Festival in the summer of 2018 made Asmika Grigoryan a superstar of opera. After that, she sang this part in director Klaus Guth’s performance at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. Her Salome in Hamburg is a completely different interpretation of the role, the acting and musical solution of the character is one whole. Asmika Grigoryan sings this complex role flawlessly and plays it in such a way that it takes the audience’s breath away. Her character is a traumatized, emotionally broken character doll, already in her childhood she has experienced sexual abuse by Herod (British tenor John Dashack), her rage and aggression have gained strength over the years. Asmika Grigorjana is able to show the tenderness, fragility, hope and fear of this still very young heroine with the smallest gesture and glance.
In the Hamburg performance, the prophet Johanan (American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen) is not imprisoned underground, he is one of the party guests who annoys those around him with his accusations and talks about God. Lithuanian diva Violeta Urmanas is irresistible in the role of Salome’s mother Hérodeja. Ukrainian tenor Oleksiy Palchikov sings Narabot, the chief of the Herod Palace guard. There is no blood in the play – Narabot, who selflessly loves Salome, does not die, and Johanan is not beheaded. Also Salome’s famous Dance of the Seven Veils not really a dance. Director Dmitry Chernyakov proves that a shocking effect can be achieved by other means. Of course, on the condition that the title role is played by an actress as gifted as Asmika Grigoryan, who lives the tragedy of Salome deep within herself, but her pain is felt by everyone in the audience.
Asmik Grigoryan Salome You can hear it in Hamburg on November 4, 8, 12 and 15.
The recording of the premiere held on October 29 will be freely available on the Arte channel’s digital platform until April 27, 2024 arte.tv/opera.
Information: staatsoper-hamburg.de
2023-11-01 19:37:33
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