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May 30 - June 6, 2004 |
Moïse et Pharaon opens La Scala's new season
Gioacchino Rossini's opera based on Biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea and conducted by Riccardo Muti
Originally Published: 2003-12-14
Last week music lovers in Milan flocked to the season opener of La Scala's opera company's production of Gioacchino Rossini's Moïse et Pharaon, at the Arcimboldi theatre.
The opera, in the original French version and based on the Biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea, was the last planned for La Scala's temporary home at the Arcimboldi on the city's outskirts. Milan Deputy Mayor Riccardo De Corato promised that "the next inaugural night will be in La Scala's historic place," referring to the 225-year-old "Temple of Bel Canto" near Milan's Gothic-style cathedral. The $56 million renovation of La Scala's home began in January 2002 and is expected to be completed by October.
Patrons showing up for the premiere had to park their cars at a distance or step out of taxis a few blocks away because outside the theatre were several groups of protesters - along with a cow and a donkey - with various beefs, ranging from EU policy on milk quotas to factory layoffs.
With traditional clockwork precision, La Scala's musical director Riccardo Muti began conducting Moïse et Pharaon, ou le passage de la Mer Rouge ("Moses and Pharaoh, or the Red Sea Crossing") with Russian Ildar Abdrazakov and Uruguayan Erwin Schrott in the leading roles.
Emotions of a Young Cast
The cast of Moise et Pharaon, is a young one. Even protagonist Ildar Abdrazakov, who got many cheers starring as Moses, is quite young. "I'm overjoyed because everything went well, but I was very worried for my first main role," commented Abdrazakov after the opening night show. "I like everything about this opera: the music, my character, the orchestra, and Maestro Muti."
Barbara Frittoli, who plays a very intense Anais, is also young but very experienced. Relaxed despite the stress of the premiere, the soprano declared, "I'm happy of singing Rossini, because it was a challenge, something I had been asked to do for years. With Muti's help and thanks to the atmosphere he created, there was no problem." For Frittoli, "this is beautiful opera, very vocal."
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