The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía presents the opera Iphigénie en Tauride, by Gluck
24.11.2008
The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is immersed in rehearsals for Gluck's opera Iphigénie en Tauride, a co-production of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Seattle Opera, which will premiere on December 3.
The cast is headed by tenor Plácido Domingo and soprano Violeta Urmana, in the roles of Oreste and Iphigénie, respectively. The Madrid-born tenor, who already triumphed on the Palau de les Arts stage as the protagonist of Franco Alfano's opera Cyrano de Bergerac, will return for the II Festival del Mediterrani to participate in Wagner's Die Walküre, singing the role of Siegmund. Violeta Urmana, for her part, already sang the role of Kundry in Wagner's Parsifal to unanimous acclaim at the opening of this same season.
The production of Iphigénie en Tauride features the musical direction of Patrick Fournillier, who, after gaining international recognition, has conducted major works of the symphonic and lyrical repertoire in the most important opera houses.
It was Maestro Fournillier who conducted the performances of Cyrano de Bergerac starring Plácido Domingo in February 2007 at the Palau de les Arts. The stage direction for these new productions of Iphigénie en Tauride is by Stephen Wadsworth, one of the most influential directors in contemporary American theater. The production is a co-production of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Seattle Opera, and its premiere in Valencia is part of the ongoing artistic collaboration between the Palau de les Arts and leading opera houses in Europe and the United States.
Iphigenia in Tauris tells the story of Iphigenia, whom the goddess Diana saves from a sacrifice and sends to Tauris, where she serves the Scythians as their priestess. It is there that she is reunited with her brother Orestes, whom she is also meant to sacrifice, but their strong bond leads her to save him from death.
The opera's libretto is by Nicolas-François Guilliard, and is based on the tragedy of the same name by Claude Guymond de la Touche, who was, in turn, inspired by the work of Euripides.
Iphigénie en Tauride will also be performed on December 9, 13, 15, and 18. More information about the 2008-2009 season program at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía can be found on the website: www.lesarts.com.
