Thunderous applause and loud cries of "bravo" greeted the premiere of
Ludwig van Beethoven's "Fidelio" at the inaugural performance of the first
opera season in Valencia's new Palau de les Arts on 25 October 2006.
Attending the stellar performance in architect Santiago Calatrava's
breathtaking theater complex was Queen Sofía of Spain, who added to the
glamour of the event. With this spectacular production directed by
Pierluigi Pier'Alli, Valencia has put itself back on the map of the
international opera world.
Calatrava's sweeping structure recalls the organic forms of Catalonia's
"Modernisme" style. Hints of Gaudì and traces of Gothic arches and
nave-like spaces project a feeling of openness and freedom. Not
surprisingly, "Fidelio" was chosen to inaugurate the theater's main concert
hall - an about freedom set in Spain, and in which the contrast between the
darkness of Florestan's dungeon and the light of justice and love embodied
by Leonore is both heard in the music and seen on the stage.
The production by noted Italian director Pierluigi Pier'Alli (most
recently: "Mefistofele" at La Scala under Muti) does full justice to the
opera's concept with an imaginative treatment of light, projections and
digital wizardry. Pier'Alli himself says that his concept "becomes
increasingly symbolic and abstract" as the work progresses.
Dominating the activity on stage are two of today's most distinguished
German singers, Waltraud Meier (Leonore) and Peter Seiffert (Florestan),
who have left their mark above all on the Wagner interpretation of our
time. Finnish bass Matti Salminen stamped his forceful character on his
role as the jailer Rocco. Under the baton of internationally acclaimed
maestro Zubin Mehta, the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana played with
fire and precision.
