A return to the Vienna State Opera for ‘Boris Godunov’ and ‘Don Carlo’
17 Apr. 2016
This spring, René Pape makes his highly anticipated return to the Vienna State Opera, in the title role of Mussorgsky’s epic Boris Godunov, May 6, 9, 13 & 16. Marko Letonja leads from the pit for these performances, which also feature Norbert Ernst as Schuiskij, Kurt Rydl as Pimen, and Parian Talaba as Grigori, in a production staged and designed by Yannis Kokkos.
Pape previously received enthusiastic critical acclaim for his portrayal of Boris at The Metropolitan Opera: “We first meet Mr. Pape’s Boris at the czar’s coronation. With his towering physique and unforced charisma, Mr. Pape looks regal and imposing. Yet with his vacant stare, the haggard intensity in his face, his stringy long hair and his hulking gait, he is already bent over with guilt and doubt. Mr. Pape has vocal charisma as well, and his dark, penetrating voice is ideal for the role . . . his enunciation was crisp and natural. And in every language, Mr. Pape makes words matter.” (Anthony Tommasini – The New York Times)
The production also receives a live online broadcast on May 13 – additional information is available via Wiener Staatsoper Livestreaming.
Mr. Pape stays on in Vienna to sing one of his signature roles, Philipp II in Verdi’s Don Carlo, with conductor Myung-Whun Chung. The spectacular international cast includes Ramón Vargas in the title role, Ludovic Tézier as Rodrigo, Anja Harteros as Elisabetta, Béatrice Uria-Monzon as Eboli, and Ain Anger as The Grand Inquisitor. Performances take place May 22, 25 & 29 and June 2.