Opera

Giordano's Andrea Chénier

Giancarlo del Monaco (stage director), Carlo Rizzi (conductor) — With José Cura (Andrea Chénier), Maria Guleghina (Maddalena di Coigny), Carlo Guelfi (Carlo Gérard)...

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Cast

Giancarlo del Monaco — Stage director, costume designer, stage design

Astrid Ascarelli — Choreographer

Wolfgang Von Zoubeck — Lighting

José Cura — Andrea Chénier

Maria Guleghina — Maddalena di Coigny

Carlo Guelfi — Carlo Gérard

Giacinta Nicotra — Bersi

Cinzia De Mola — La contessa di Coigny

Annie Vavrille — Madelon

Carlo Cigni — Roucher

Coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna

Marcel Seminara — Chorus director

Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna

Carlo Rizzi — Music director

Program notes

Discover Andrea Chénier, a dramatic opera in four acts with a libretto by Luigi Illica, inspired by the life of French writer André Chénier. Born in Constantinople to a French father and a Greek mother, the young poet will, like so many others, find himself embroiled in the dramatic events of the French Revolution. Journalist Chenier, deeply influenced by French Enlightenment thinkers, must confront the reality of existence during the Reign of Terror, struggling to hold on to his principles—and his very life.

Umberto Giordano's opera follows the verismo style in vogue in late 19th-century Italy, a contemporary counterpoint to the naturalism of Emile Zola and Guy de Maupassant across the French border. From Bologna’s magnificent Teatro Comunale, Giancarlo del Monaco’s staging magnifies José Cura’s powerful and poignant performance in the title role, while Carlo Rizzi masterfully conducts the venue’s resident orchestra and chorus in this stirring rendition that also features widely acclaimed soprano Maria Guleghina and tenor Carlo Guelfi.

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