Oedipe, Royal Opera House

Covent Garden plays host to Les Fura des Bals' mesmerising production of George Enescu's great opera

Oedipe, Royal Opera House
La Fura dels Baus (Le Grand Macabre) were pioneers of urban and street theatre, creating immersive and interactive experiences since being founded in 1979 Barcelona. Over thirty-five years later, they have become one of Europe’s most innovative theatrical and operatic troupes, with digital productions and a travelling arts centre boat.

Now, as part of the Royal Opera’s 2015/16 season, they visit Covent Garden to present one of the defining operas of the twentieth century – George Enescu’s Oedipe (1910-1931). This is a cause for celebration – reviews from the continent have described it as a complete visual spectacle, matching Enescu’s strident score with a stunning four-tiered set and a cast of dozens.

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Enescu (1881-1955) is undoubtedly Romania’s finest composer, and Oedipe is widely considered his masterpiece. A genius violinist and world-class pianist, he mastered the classical repertoire at an early age. His own compositions bear the marks of that tradition, while boldly pushing in new directions.

In Oedipe, he recounts the entirety of Oedipus’ legendary story, from before birth to after death. The result fuses the tragic dimensions of Greek tragedy with the more contemplative processes of human fate. The score takes in everything from Berlioz to Schoenberg, crafting an idiom of magnificent breadth and scale.

The mighty Danish bass-baritone Johan Reuter (Wozzeck) stars as Oedipus himself, a monumental role that requires phenomenal stamina. He is joined by a host of luminaries, including mezzo Sarah Connolly, a London favourite, as his mother Jocasta. Rising soprano Sophia Bevan (The Marriage of Figaro) plays his daughter Antigone, with Samuel Youn, John Tomlison and Claudia Huckle taking other key roles.

Alex Ollé, one of La Fura’s six core figures, directs, while the British Leo Hussain (Rouen Opera principal) conducts. This promises to be an essential London review for a landmark production.

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What Oedipe, Royal Opera House
Where Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD | MAP
Nearest tube Covent Garden (underground)
When 23 May 16 – 08 Jun 16, 7:15 PM – 10:15 PM
Price £5-85
Website Click here to book tickets




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