Hans Pfitzner's Palestrina
Christian Stückl (stage director), Simone Young (conductor) — With Christopher Ventris (Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina), Michael Volle (Giovanni Morone), John Daszak (John Daszak)
Cast
Christian Stückl — Stage director
Stefan Hageneier — Set and costume design
Christopher Ventris — Tenor (Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina)
Peter Rose — Bass (Pope Pius IV)
Michael Volle — Baritone (Giovanni Morone)
John Daszak — Tenor (Bernardo Novagerio)
Roland Bracht — Bass (Cardinal Christoph Madruscht)
Program notes
Experience Palestrina by Hans Pfitzner, an eminent challenge to any stage director, brilliantly interpreted by Christian Stückl! The opera, which premiered in Munich in 1917, is presented under a new "pop art" light, which gathers the chorus and orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera under the masterful guidance of maestra Simone Young. This fictional tale recounts the story of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, great composer of the Renaissance period, who fears that he might lose his creativity and thus his place within society.
A work of great complexity, its many intricate vocal and instrumental lines are conducted with sensitivity by maestra Young. Tenor Christopher Ventris excels in the title role, and so does famed baritone Michael Volle as Giovanni Morone. Finally, the costumes and stage design by Stefan Hageneier play an important role in this unique staging, that transports us in a colorful and fantastic atmosphere, worlds apart from the serious nature of this philosophical work!