The sudden death of Pierre Audi in May this year lent a moving note to the presentation of the Birgit Nilsson Prize in Stockholm on October 21. The prize, which has been awarded every three years since 2009, now went to the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, where Audi had been artistic director since 2018 – a deeply fitting tribute to a man {…}
A final report has been released covering the 77th edition of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. This article only features opera-specific information. Attendance Over 64,000 spectators Over 37,000 seats filled in operas and at concerts in July Over 27,000 attendees at free Festival event 2,970 seats sold to people under 30 Six percent increase from 2024 Performances Five operas staged, including two {…}
President of the Birgit Nilsson Stiftelsen, Susanne Rydén announced that the 2025 Birgit Nilsson Prize of 1 million dollars has been awarded to the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. The prestigious French Opera Festival is currently preparing for its 77th edition this summer and becomes the first festival to receive the Prize which will be presented on Oct. 21 by His Majesty King {…}
Following the death of director Pierre Audi, Bernard Foccroulle has been selected as an advisor for artistic and managerial inquiries for the festival’s 2025 edition. Per a press release, the decision was agreed to by the Festival’s President, Paul Hermelin, in conjunction with the different regional government organizations. Foccroulle directed the festival from 2007 to 2018. Audi had been appointed {…}
The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence has announced its 2025 festival. Opera First up is “Don Giovanni” in a production by Robert Icke starring Andrè Schuen, Krzysztof Bączyk, Golda Schultz, Magdalena Kožená, Amitai Pati, Clive Bayley, Madison Nonoa, and Paweł Horodyski. Sir Simon Rattle conducts. Performance Dates: July 4 – 18, 2025 Charpentier’s “Louise” stars Elsa Dreisig, Adam Smith, Sophie Koch, Grégoire Mour, Roberta {…}
(Photo credit: Jean-Louis Fernandez) Eight years ago, Katie Mitchell’s staging of “Pelléas et Mélisande” was opera-lovers’ favorite summer topic. Echoes of its greatness could be heard in the wintery Brazilian July, and in the fall, when I was in Scotland, people still commented how great—or heterodox—it was. Its return to Aix’s stage reminds us of its scenic beauty and proves {…}
(Photo credit: Julien Benhamou) Let’s talk about chemistry. Cher and Sonny had it; so did Joey and Chandler. And, nowadays, the duo with the most chemistry in classical music is French-Italian mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre and French lutenist Thomas Dunford (D+D for the fans). The concert was extremely solar, gleeful, and gay, reflecting their bright partnership. Their youthful joyfulness even brightened {…}
(Photo credit: © Ruth Walz) Puccini in Aix-en-Provence is not an obvious combination, and it was not until 2019 with Christophe Honoré’s “Tosca” production that Lucca’s maestro made his debut in the festival. It was an ultra-revisionist “Tosca”: two primissime donne on the stage, several videoclips, and many other bold choices. It was glorious and thought-provoking. Therefore, expectations for a “Madama {…}
(Photo credit: Monika Rittershaus) Who’s afraid of a double bill? Part two. If Gluck’s Iphigénies required stamina from Aix operagoers, the double bill of Peter Maxwell Davies’s “Eight Songs for a Mad King” and György Kurtág’s “Kafka-Fragments” beseech us to be attentive. It was just an hour and a half of music, and the performances were vivid. But the musical {…}
(Photo credit: Monika Rittershaus) Who’s afraid of double bills? We all love “Cav.” and “Pag.,” and there is some room in everyone’s heart for a “The Human Voice” meets “Bluebeard’s Castle;” nevertheless, Gluck’s Iphigenia operas performed together was a bit of a challenge. The operas, lasting two hours each, are easily stand-alone pieces, and—even though they share a protagonist—they appear {…}
The Festival d’Aix en Provence has announced a cast change for its production of “Pelléas et Mélisande.” The company said that due to personal reasons, Julia Bullock will not be able to come to Aix this summer. Chiara Skerath will take over the role of Melisande. Bullock took to social media and said, “It’s with some sadness to share that {…}