The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
After pandemic restrictions shut down its scheduled opening in 2020, acclaimed French director Olivier Py’s new production of La Juive will finally have its Australian premiere at the Sydney Opera House, this coming March. Big and tragically romantic, Fromental Halévy’s heart-wrenching opera about forbidden love between a Christian and a Jew offers audiences the rare treat of two sopranos, two tenors and a world-class bass raising their voices together.
The Australian premiere of La Juive has been cast with some of the country’s finest singers developed by Opera Australia over the last decade. Sopranos Natalie Aroyan and Esther Song sing the parts of Rachel and Princess Eudoxie respectively, while bass David Parkin plays Cardinal Brogni, and Diego Torre will soar through the tremendously difficult tenor part of Eléazar.
Argentinian tenor Francisco Brito will make his Opera Australia debut in the role of Leopold, having sung it in Konstanz, Germany, in 2018. Celebrated Italian maestro Carlo Montanaro also visits Australia to conduct the Opera Australia Orchestra and Chorus through the challenging yet shimmering score.
Py’s updated setting of 1930s France adds to the drama, providing an extra layer of historical context to the secrets and impossible choices, bitter rivalries and persecution, forgiveness and sacrifice that play out in poignant moments right until the final curtain.
Halévy’s most successful opera, La Juive still delivers a relevant and important message of religious tolerance where audiences can’t help but empathise with the doomed Jewish woman and Christian man who love each other but can’t be together.
A co-production with the Opéra National de Lyon, La Juive features an impressive set and elegant monochromatic costume designs by Pierre-André Weitz and striking lighting by Bertrand Killy, Py’s version was labelled “highly impactful” and received a five star review from Bachtrack when it premiered in Lyon in 2016.
Conductor Carlo Montanaro
Director Olivier Py
Revival Director Constantine Costi
Set & Costume Designer Pierre-André Weitz
Lighting Designer Bertrand Killy
Rachel Natalie Aroyan
Eléazar Diego Torre
Leopold Francisco Brito
Princess Eudoxie Esther Song
Cardinal Brogni David Parkin
Ruggiero Andrew Moran
Albert Richard Anderson
Herald Shane Lowrencev
1st Man of the People Alexander Hargreaves
2nd Man of the People Tom Hamilton
Officer Tomas Dalton
Executioner Anthony Mackey
Opera Australia Chorus Opera Australia Orchestra
Evenings at 7pm
March 9, 15, 18, 22, 24
Saturday Matinees at 12pm
March 12, 26
Approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes including one interval
Performed in French with English subtitles
Proudly supported by La Juive Syndicate
Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply)
Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
A young couple begin a dangerous, passionate affair. In their world, a Jew cannot love a Christian. The punishment is death. When it all comes out, Rachel faces two impossible choices. Deny her love, and save her lover. Deny her God, and save herself.
Secrets, sex and bitter religious rivalries result in human tragedy on a grand scale.
This is a rare chance to revel in the gorgeous music of one of the great French operas. From sacred choruses to impassioned arias, Halévy’s epic opera is a tour-de-force.
Director Olivier Py’s production takes a haunting look at love and persecution.
Set in 1930s France with elegant, monochromatic costumes, the production offers glimpses of the Holocaust to come. Impressive rotating sets fill the stage with a dark grandeur.
The score offers audiences the rare gift of two sopranos, two tenors and a bass in leading roles, as well as dramatic crowd scenes.
Soprano Natalie Aroyan performs as Rachel with Diego Torre as her father, the impassioned Eléazar. Francisco Brito is Leopold. Lyric Coloratura Soprano Esther Song performs as Princess Eudoxie.
LA JUIVE IS A CO-PRODUCTION BETWEEN OPERA AUSTRALIA AND THE OPÉRA NATIONAL DE LYON.
Accessibility At The Smith Center Series: Part One
James “Fitz” FitzSimmons Interview: The Boys In The Band On Netflix
Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
