✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

You have reached the limit of free articles.


To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy

Each week, we send newsletters and communication featuring articles, our latest tickets invitations, and exclusive offers.

Occasional information about discounts, special offers and promotions.


OR
LOG IN

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.



EXPLORE CULTURE WHISPER
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy
Forgot your username or password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use

Support Us Login
  • Home
  • Going Out
    • Things to do
    • Food & Drink
    • Theatre
    • Visual Arts
    • Cinema
    • Kids
    • Festival
    • Gigs
    • Dance
    • Classical Music
    • Opera
    • Immersive
    • Talks
  • Staying In
    • TV
    • Books
    • Cook
    • Podcast
    • Design
    • Netflix
  • Life & Style
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Gifting
    • Wellbeing
    • Lifestyle
    • Shopping
    • Jewellery
  • Explore
  • Shopping
  • CW SHOPS
  • Support Us
  • Get Started
  • Tickets
  • CW SHOPS
Get the Best of London Life, Culture and Style
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
Classical Music

Le Grand Macabre, Barbican Centre

14 Jan 17 – 15 Jan 17, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Sir Simon Rattle and Peter Sellars present a semi-staged performance of Ligeti's madcap opera

By CW Contributor on 28/1/2016

1 CW reader is interested
Sir Simon Rattle. Photo: Sheila Rock/Warner Classics
Sir Simon Rattle. Photo: Sheila Rock/Warner Classics
Le Grand Macabre, Barbican Centre Le Grand Macabre, Barbican Centre Joe Lloyd
For the Barbican Centre’s 2015-16 season, maverick director Peter Sellars (Don Giovanni) joined forces with Berlin Philharmonic chief conductor Sir Simon Rattle for a semi-staged performance Debussy’s Pelleas and Melisandre. Following a chorus of glowing reviews, in 2017 they will return to the same venue to perform another masterpiece of twentieth century opera. This time round they will replace the shimmering romance of Debussy with something altogether more angular and absurd: Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre (1974-77). Last seen here at the London Coliseum in La Fura des Baus’ phenomenal 2009 production, this two-night run will be one of the contemporary music highlights of the year.
Rattle will be joined by the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the latter directed by Simon Halsey. The eight-strong cast promises to be stellar. Among others, bass-baritone Pavlo Hunka will share the stage with tenor Peter Hoare, mezzo Ronnita Miller and countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo.
Based on Michel de Ghelderode’s 1934 play, Le Grand Macabre takes audiences into a hellish world of grotesques and madness inspired by Brueghal’s paintings. It centres around the diabolic prince Nekrotzar and his plans to cause the apocalypse. With only drunks and bawds standing in his way, how can he possibly fail?
Ligeti’s only opera is a bundle of contradictions that nevertheless cohere to create an entirely coherent world. As the plot hurdles from operatic grace to complete pandemonium, the music follows, alternating lyricism with burlesque. At this relatively advanced point in his career, Ligeti developed a spritely and eclectic style that encompasses sounds previously unheard of in the classical realm – the opera even opens with a choir of car horns. But don’t let this put you off – Le Grand Macabre’s sense of fun makes it accessible for even opera sceptics. And in the proven hands of Rattle and Sellars, it is likely to be spectacular.
Tickets for the Barbican Centre’s 2016-17 season open to the general public at 10am on 10 Feb. Members booking opens at the same time on 3 Feb, while Members Plus can purchase from 1 Feb.

What Le Grand Macabre, Barbican Centre
Where Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS | MAP
Nearest tube Barbican (underground)
When 14 Jan 17 – 15 Jan 17, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price £25-75
Website Click here to book via the Barbican website



Most popular

Things to do in London this weekend: 1st - 3rd July
Things to do in London this weekend: 1st - 3rd July
Jacquemus X Nike Collaboration
Beige, sexy and sporty: Jacquemus X Nike collaboration drops
London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London (Photograph: Peter Lewicki)
London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2022
  • click for more classical music
    recommendations

Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).

1

Barbican Centre

Barbican 2016-17

Sir Simon Rattle

Contemporary

Ligeti

Opera

You might like

  • The Seasons, Barbican Centre

    The Seasons, Barbican Centre

  • In Parenthesis, Royal Opera House

    In Parenthesis, Royal Opera House

  • Oedipe, Royal Opera House

    Oedipe, Royal Opera House

  • Benjamin at the Barbican, Barbican Centre

    Benjamin at the Barbican, Barbican Centre



  • The Culture Whisper team
  • Support Us
  • Tickets
  • Contact us
  • Press
  • FAQ
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Discover
  • Venues
  • Restaurants
  • Stations
  • Boroughs
Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
×