macbetha fascinating tragedy that Frédéric Bélier-Garcia never tires of exploring. After his staging of Macbeth at the Théâtre of the work in 2018, the director does it again, this time at the opera. Giuseppe Verdi’s lyrical drama is on view at the Marseille Opera until October 9, 2022.
“How these two beings who can wrap themselves in love, how this act which is so beautiful at the beginning can make them enter into the terrible?”. It is these contradictory feelings that fascinate Frédéric Bélier-Garcia, happy to approach this opera again, after its first version in 2016. “Macbeth is a kind of steeplechase! People are waiting for the witches, the advancing forest. When you ride it for the first time you are a little impressed by all that and qwhen you go up it, you know where the strength of the work lies”, explains the director.
Behind the fantastic aspect of the plot, macbeth remains a deeply human work. Who indeed, has never dreamed of being someone else? In our societies that glorify success, how can we not recognize macbeth the ordinary face of ambition? “The director must find the slightly monstrous share of humanity in the characters by playing with their doubts and their contradictions”explains Frédéric Bélier-Garcia in the note of intent for this three-hour opera, performed by the Orchestra and Choir of the Marseille Opera under the direction of conductor Paolo Arriva.
“The road to power is strewn with crime”, announces Lady Macbeth who will push her husband to murder out of a thirst for power. The Italian soprano Anastasia Bartoli seized all the musical range that the role requires. A particular tone wanted by Verdi, breaking with the bel canto canons of the time. “You have to play several sopranos for the role. You have to play dramatic soprano, coloratura, mezzo, light, it’s very extreme, from very low to very high, it’s a rather difficult character to sing”, she confides.
“Macbeth” by Verdi at the Marseille Opera until October 9, 2022
Tuesday, October 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday October 9 at 2:30 p.m.