behind the scenes of the last performance of “The Makropoulos Affair” by Janacek

“The Makropoulos Affair” is a peak of the lyrical art of Czech composer Leos Janacek. Richard Brunel’s production gives its last performance this evening in Lyon.

Last rehearsal Sunday June 23, for the last performance of The Makropoulos Affair at the Lyon Opera. The climb stress for the actors is felt from makeup on. The famous Lithuanian soprano Ausrine Studynté uses makeup alone to concentrate better. “This is the longest and most difficult repetition. On the eve of the show, we have to sort out all the technical details. It can last until 1 a.m. she confides. On stage, she doesn’t hesitate to say when things aren’t going well: “It’s the home stretch, nothing is left to chance.”

To prepare for their last appearance on stage on Monday June 24, no orchestra, just a conductor and a pianist.

The opera The Makropoulos Affair by Janacek, composed two years before his death, tells the story of Emilia Marty, an immortal singer who became insensible after drinking an elixir of immortality more than 300 years earlier. Emilia’s multiple identities over the centuries illustrate her condemnation to a life without flavor, where even the memories of her former loves, like Hank and Baron Ferdinand Josef, no longer affect her. But her rival Krista, a young and talented beginner singer, will perhaps replace her. Only then could she die and achieve true eternity…

The opera’s cast is marked by Ausrine Studynté whose performance as Emilia Marty is captivating, accompanied by Denys Pivnitskyl as Albert Gregor and Thandiswa Mpongwana as Krista. The other roles, played by Tómas Tómasson, Károly Szemerédy, Marcel Beekman, Paul Curievici, Robert Lewis and Paolo Stupenengo, also contribute to the quality of Richard Brunel’s production.

“The Makropoulos Affair” lasts 1 hour 35 minutes, without intermission. Last performance on June 24 at the Lyon Opera. Prices vary from €10 to €116.