Les Arts expands its public activity by 30% with opera, zarzuela, dance, ‘lied’, concerts, flamenco and other music in the 2019-2020 Season

Les Arts has presented its fourteenth artistic program with the help of the Minister of Education, Research, Culture and Sport, Vicent Marzà; the president of the Board of Trustees of Les Arts, Susana Lloret; and the artistic director of the theater, Jesús Iglesias Noriega.

The new season represents a 30% increase in activity at Les Arts aimed at the public with a varied proposal that, in addition to opera, zarzuela and symphonic music, includes dance, 'lied', flamenco and other music.

Minister Marzà emphasized that “this program reflects the great work done by the people who accompany me and who are making Les Arts the reality we want: a space of operatic excellence, open to society and with a broader program to attract new audiences,” adding: “Les Arts is opera, without a doubt, but it is also for everyone, and the new program delves deeper into the arts that accompany opera and is greatly enriched with new expressions, with more educational activities and with proposals to open the coliseum to the public.”

Susana Lloret highlighted the ambitious proposal, which includes 47 opera and zarzuela performances, 19 dance performances, 6 lieder recitals, 8 concerts, 4 flamenco evenings and two sessions dedicated to other music, not forgetting the 12 programs open to the public, new institutional collaborations, in addition to the activity of the Educational Program and the Plácido Domingo Centre.

“Opera is at the heart of this project, but music—thanks to the vision and management of Jesús Iglesias—now flows in many other ways throughout all the rooms of this emblematic building, to reach a wider audience, for greater enjoyment of this heritage that belongs to everyone,” he stressed.

 'Les Arts és Òpera'

Jesús Iglesias Noriega has reiterated his intention to transform Les Arts into a "musical theater, encompassing all forms of lyric music, without neglecting opera as the main activity," which will be realized through the expansion of repertoire, genres, shows, and new cycles that will drive a program of great variety and artistic richness.

The opera season includes nine titles that embrace a time horizon, ranging from 1735, the year of the premiere of Handel's 'Ariodante', to 1947, in which the first performance of Poulenc's 'Les mamelles de Tirésias' took place.

The repertoire is diversified with an incursion into the Baroque ('Ariodante'), three works belonging to the classical era ('Le nozze di Figaro' and 'La finta giardiniera', by Mozart, and 'Il tutore burlato', by Martín y Soler), a bel canto title ('Il viaggio a Reims', by Rossini), a work by Verdi ('Nabucco'), one belonging to French Romanticism ('Faust', by Gounod) and two operas from the 20th century ('Elektra', by Strauss, and 'Les mamelles de Tirésias').

Les Arts' opening to new aesthetics includes the debut of directors distinguished by their career and the modernity they bring to their productions, such as Robert Carsen ('Elektra'), Richard Jones ('Ariodante') or Keith Warner ('Faust'), in addition to the return of Damiano Michieletto ('Il viaggio a Reims').

For his part, Iglesias Noriega indicated that the choice of musical directors was based on their specialization with the repertoire they will be tackling: Andrea Marcon, the Baroque; Christopher Moulds or William Christie, the Classical; Marc Albrecht, the music of Strauss; Francesco Lanzilotta, the Rossini repertoire; and Michel Plasson, the French Romantic repertoire.

The opera season begins at the end of September with five performances of 'Le nozze di Figaro' at affordable prices, in a celebrated production by Emilio Sagi, starring Spanish sopranos María José Moreno and Sabina Puértolas, Polish baritone Andrzej Filočczyk, and Canadian bass Robert Gleadow.

In November, the Main Hall offers, in a semi-staged version, the first comic opera that Mozart composed just after turning 18: 'La finta giardiniera', and which represents the presentation at Les Arts of William Christie and Les Arts Florissants, an absolute reference group in the recovery and interpretation of baroque and classical music with ancient instruments.

The Centre Plácido Domingo is also exploring new composers and styles this season. Under the musical direction of Roger Vignoles, young artists are exploring the French operatic repertoire with Poulenc's 'Les mamelles de Tirésias', in a transcription for two pianos by Britten.

One of the new talents of stagecraft, the American Ted Huffman, makes his debut at Les Arts with a sparkling production, of which 6 performances have been scheduled in November at the Teatre Martín i Soler and one at the Teatro Principal in Castelló.

Plácido Domingo's close relationship with Les Arts continues with a new feat by the artist in the baritone register with Verdi's 'Nabucco', which premieres on December 2nd. Accompanied by Anna Pirozzi, the leading soprano for the role of Abigaille, Jordi Bernàcer returns to the pit for his first opera as principal conductor in the Main Hall.

The director Tadeusz Strassberger, author of the Les Arts co-production of 'I due Foscari', pays tribute to the opulence and color of the cinematic peplum in this montage of the iconic title of the Italian nation.

With 'Elektra', scheduled for January, the fourteenth season fulfills one of the great demands of critics and the public: the return of the great Central European repertoire with which the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana has obtained its greatest recognition, as Iglesias Noriega explained.

Joining the debut of two established figures like Marc Albrecht and Robert Carsen is “a top-notch cast” headed by Iréne Theorin, the reference interpreter for this role, Doris Soffel and Sara Jakubiak.

On February 29th, 'Il viaggio a Reims' premieres, a journey through the bel canto repertoire guided by one of its greatest representatives, Gioachino Rossini, under the direction of the rising star Francesco Lanzillota.

On stage, Les Arts hosts the definitive production of this work, which Damiano Michieletto has staged in cities such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Rome, Moscow, and Melbourne. A cast comprised of some of today's most exciting young Rossini voices tackles this authentic vocal and theatrical feast.

Twelve years after the premiere of 'Orlando' in the Main Hall, Handel's Baroque returns in April with 'Ariodante', a poetic ode to honor and fidelity, performed by renowned specialists in this musical style.

Richard Jones, one of the great innovators of the British stage, has created an interesting adaptation that moves the medieval legend to the mid-twentieth century, which has enjoyed an excellent reception in Europe and the United States.

The artistic director also emphasized that Les Arts, as a cultural engine, has an obligation to the Valencian musical heritage and, especially, to the most successful opera composer in the region: Vicente Martín y Soler.

Therefore, 'Il tutore burlato' will be the new lyrical production of the season; a commission to the Valencian Jaume Policarpo, who will have outstanding professionals from Les Arts for its execution, and the maestro from Alcàsser Cristóbal Soler in his first collaboration with the artists of the Centre Plácido Domingo.

The season closes with a visit from one of the great legends of orchestral conducting, Michel Plasson, with one of the landmark works of French opera, Gounod's 'Faust'. Plasson, an undisputed expert in the French repertoire, leads the resident ensembles of Les Arts for the first time.

'Faust' also represents the reunion of the Valencian public with soprano Ailyn Pérez and bass-baritone Alex Esposito, as well as the opportunity to hear the highly sought-after tenor John Osborn for the first time.

'Les Arts és Sarsuela'

The artistic director has announced that zarzuela, in a large-scale format and featuring leading artists, will be another constant. In October, among the titles offered at affordable prices, Sorozábal's 'La tabernera del puerto' will be presented.

Guillermo García-Calvo, a regular at the Vienna Opera, directs the theater's permanent companies and a roster of singers, which includes two Valencians who had not yet sung at Les Arts: Marina Monzó and Antonio Gandía.

Mario Gas, one of the great creators of the national scene, surrounds himself with professionals such as Ezio Frigerio or the Oscar-winning Franca Squarciapino for a spectacular production that is very faithful to the original text.

'Les Arts és Dansa'

Dance becomes a chapter of the program with its own distinct identity. The cycle opens in January with a new production from Les Arts with Ananda, 'Âtman, el comiat'.

After more than 40 years in the business, the company's founder and choreographer, Rosángeles Valls, bids farewell to the stage with this show, accompanied by the music of her regular collaborator, Pep Llopis.

Meanwhile, in February, the National Dance Company will bring on tour the choreography of 'Carmen' that premiered John Inger in 2015 and which will be accompanied by the OCV under the direction of Óliver Díaz.

'An Ode to Time', by the María Pagés Company, closes the dance program. The dancer, creator, and choreographer visits Les Arts for the first time with her aesthetic concept of flamenco dance, which has transcended borders.

'Les Arts es Lied'

The Main Hall is the setting for a new line of programming, a cycle of 'lied', which represents the debut in the Valencian opera house of some of the most acclaimed voices on the international scene.

Polish tenor Piotr Beczača, French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, English baritone Simon Keenlyside, and Gipuzkoa soprano Ainhoa Arteta, also performing for the first time at Les Arts, along with Violeta Urmana, well known to the Les Arts audience, offer six select evenings dedicated to the genre.

'Les Arts és Grans Veus'

'Les Arts és Grans Veus' is another unique offering, inviting iconic figures to revisit the styles and repertoires that have shaped their careers. American soprano Joyce DiDonato will present a select Baroque program on May 17th, the style that has propelled her to the pinnacle of opera, accompanied by the Il Pomo d'Oro orchestra and the rising star conductor Maxim Emelyanychev.

'Les Arts és Simfònic'

The Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana will work during the new season with some of the most prestigious conductors on the circuit, who are either making their debut or returning to the Valencian opera house. James Gaffigan, Michele Mariotti, Gustavo Gimeno, Juanjo Mena, Ivor Bolton, and Daniele Gatti will each present a variety of programs, four of them featuring the choir, showcasing the excellence of Les Arts' resident ensembles.

'The Arts of Flamenco and Other Music'

During his speech, Jesús Iglesias Noriega highlighted musical diversity as one of the pillars of the artistic project for the coming years, and flamenco, as one of the most important hallmarks of Spanish culture, will have its own chapter.

Under this heading, the arts center presents four proposals to address flamenco singing: Diego el Cigala, one of the most representative figures of the new trends; the breath of fresh air of Rocío Márquez; the talent of the singer Duquende, and the flamenco fusion of Manuel Lombo.

In addition, the program will feature musical genres that have received little attention in previous seasons: jazz and fado. Chick Corea will present 'Chick Corea Trilogy' in March, a journey through classic jazz with well-known tunes, while the captivating Mariza, one of today's leading fado singers, will perform a selection of works from this genre, which has never before been featured in the theater's repertoire, in June.

'Les Arts és per a tots'

Les Arts' commitment as a public theatre is embodied in the 'Les Arts és per a tots' program, which brings together activities, shows, collaborations, and initiatives that are free or have symbolic prices, giving back to Valencian society for its support of the project. In addition to two established activities such as the 'Open House' and 'Nit a les Arts' (Night at the Arts), the program includes new initiatives to diversify audiences and enrich the life of the theatre:

The first new feature will be the 'Matins a les Arts' series: six Sunday musical matinees in the Main Hall, with a symbolic price of five euros, in which the theater's artistic assets: the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, the Cor de la Generalitat and the singers of the Centre Plácido Domingo, offer interesting programs to attract new audiences.

This is followed by 'Preestrena fins a 28', an initiative that has been very well received in major European opera houses, and which will allow those under 28 to enjoy titles such as 'La tabernera del puerto', 'Il viaggio a Reims', 'Ariodante' or 'Faust' for ten euros.

After several years of Mozart marathons, and to mark the premiere of 'Il viaggio', the new opera season will be dedicated to Gioachino Rossini. Under the name 'Rossini Marathon', Les Arts will invite audiences to celebrate the genius from Pesaro and his impact on European culture with a wide range of free activities.

Opening up to society also means bringing artists closer to it. That is the purpose of the 'Perspectives' initiative, in which opera and zarzuela stars will engage in dialogue with the audience, complementing the 'Conferències' series by opera expert Ramon Gener.

Likewise, the 'Les Arts Volant' truck will continue its tour through different municipalities with the successful production of 'Bastià i Bastiana' by Mozart, and will present a new production of 'El tutor burlat' by Vicente Martín y Soler.

New institutions are joining Les Arts this year to strengthen ties with the social and cultural landscape. In addition to collaborations with IVAM, the Castelló Museum of Fine Arts, the Valencia Film Archive, and Berklee College of Music will be new partners, and the partnership with the Federation of Musical Societies of the Valencian Community will continue.

Furthermore, this section will also include the production 'The Opera Locos', recently awarded the Max Prize, which merges fragments of the most popular operas with various musical styles

'The Arts is Education and Training'

Les Arts' educational program strengthens its offering, which now reaches all ages and audiences: babies, students of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Vocational Training, Special Education, University, Adult Education and also has a section dedicated to the family audience.

Shows such as 'Babies Only', 'Sent la Música', 'Conta'm una òpera' and 'Detectius en l'òpera', work sessions such as 'Tots a Cor', 'L'òpera en construcció' or 'Un matí amb', and educational workshops such as 'VestuArts' and 'CaracteritzaT' articulate the main actions.

Also included in this section are the monitoring and coordination of the LOVA program ('Opera as a learning vehicle'), the planning of educational functions of the shows performed at the Teatre Martín i Soler, the collaboration with the Danseta festival of Dansa València, as well as actions in the university field with the UJI of Castelló, the UPV, the UV and the UNED.

For its part, the Centre Plácido Domingo, which this year is also opening up to repertoire pianists, will remain the main training agent, in addition to its contribution to the theater's programming in various actions.

The main new feature of the training program will be the 'Opera Choral Conducting Workshop', directed by Francesc Perales, in collaboration with the Cor de la Generalitat, with the aim of completing the training of young professional conductors.