A small event. February 7, 1891, Lohengrin, opera by Richard Wagner, is performed at Rouen. The first of 27 successful performances. « It is an important representation, because Wagner was not loved in France for political and aesthetic reasons, explains Yannick Simon, professor of musicology at the University of Rouen. It is the first time that an opera by Wagner will be successful several times in a row. »
In Paris, in 1887, the presentation of Lohengrin had caused mind-blowing acts. « There have been riots, agitations fomented by political groups », slips Yannick Simon. Born in Leipzig, Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was not appreciated for comments made after the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, still very much in our memories. Very critical of France and the French, he had indulged in an exacerbated chauvinism.
On February 7, 1891 in Rouen, the French were therefore reconciled with Wagner and his music. We even came from Paris to listen to it. Travel operators have offered an all-in-one package with train tickets, meals and seat for the show. This is the signal that the other provincial operas were waiting for, where we started playing Wagner.
In Rouen, it continued to be offered regularly in the first half of the 20th century. « There are two highlights. In 1900, it was the first time that we played Siegfried in France with a French creation. This is important, because there aren’t many French theaters that have presented French creations. It’s a great success, assures Yannick Simon. The second highlight is in 1927, the tetralogy is played for the first time since the First World War. » Tetralogy is a cycle of four operas: L’or du Rhin, the Valkyrie, Siegfried and The twilight of the gods.
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A first
in German
In 1960, Wagner’s work took a new turn in Rouen. « We give performances of Lohengrin in German with French choristers. » Until World War II, operas were all translated. The first time we play Wagner in German is therefore in Rouen in 1960. And in a particular context. The Théâtre des arts on rue Grand-Pont was razed to the ground after being the victim of Allied bombardments and the construction of a new enclosure is delayed. Temporarily, it is in the circus theater, Place du Boulingrin, now destroyed, that the opera finds refuge. In 1963, the new building rose from the ground and Tannhauser is given for two performances in the framework of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Richard Wagner with the French soloist Régine Crespin. « Another important Wagnerian event : the tetralogy in 1969, adds Yannick Simon. It is very interesting because it kicks off modern productions, the modern performance of Wagner’s operas. »
Then, the works of the German composer became rarer, in particular because there are fewer opera dates per year in the Rouen Arts Theater. Tannhauser was last performed in the Norman capital in 1992. « It’s a legacy », assures Loïc Lachenal, director of the establishment. A past that he wants to highlight. « We only have strength if we know where we come from. » So he held « somehow » that the representations of Tannhauser are held in this return despite the constraints related to the coronavirus. And undertakes to play another work by Wagner in Rouen within two seasons.
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Tannhauser
Tannhauser, by Richard Wagner, will be played on Wednesday September 30 and Saturday October 3 in an unrecognizable hall, since the orchestra has been taken out of the pit. To do this, the stage “spills over” onto the parterre to reach an additional 200 m². Taking into account this snacking and sanitary constraints, it will be possible to install only 450 places. The first performance scheduled for Sunday is canceled because a soloist was diagnosed with coronavirus on Wednesday 23. As a result, all musicians observe a seven-day isolation period.
Tannhäuser in Rouen, Théâtre des arts, Wednesday September 30 at 19 pm and Saturday October 3 to 5 h. Prices : 10/68 €. Live broadcast in the open air on October 3 in front of Rouen Cathedral.
Conference
Yannick Simon, professor of musicology at the University of Rouen, offers a conference on the history of Wagner and the Rouen Opera, entitled “Bayreuth sur Seine”. He will come back in detail to the link between the Arts Theater and the German composer.
October 2, 19 h at 21 h.
Free, but places are limited. By reservation on the Théâtre des arts website.
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