CRITIQUE – At the Opéra de Nice, the composer’s second opera never made it into the repertoire. No doubt because of its distressing libretto. But its fascinating orchestration deserves to be rediscovered.
Celebrating anniversaries in music only makes sense in two cases: to bring forgotten composers back into the limelight, or to discover unknown aspects of famous creators. Puccini, for example, doesn’t need to celebrate the centenary of his death in order to be able to program La Bohemia or Toscawhich is performed all year round. On the other hand, mounting EdgarThe second opera by a composer in his thirties who still has a lot to prove makes perfect sense!
For this reason alone, you must go to the Opéra de Nice, whose director, Bertrand Rossi, invites you to some stimulating “Puccini Days”. To top it all off, this Edgar first performed in 1889, and which we confess we’ve only heard on record, is performed in its original four-act version, and not in the revised edition previously recorded. It’s not always easy to know why a work doesn’t make it into the repertoire.
Read also
Between La Bohème and Tosca, Puccini remains timeless
In the case ofEdgarwhen we left the Opéra de Nice after the premiere, it seemed…
This article is reserved for subscribers. You still have 71% to discover.
Would you like to read the rest?
Unlock all articles immediately. No obligation.
Already a subscriber?
Log on