Roma
Jules Massenet
A rare work by Massenet in which tragedy and loftiness of soul combine to subtle effect.
Dates
Rachel Willis-Sørensen | Fausta
Jean-François Borras | Lentulus
Julie Robard-Gendre | Posthumia
Tassis Christoyannis | Fabius Maximus
Patrick Bolleire | Lucius Cornelius
Jérôme Boutillier | Vestapor / Caïus / An old man
Hélène Carpentier | Junia
Anna Dowsley | The great Vestal
Clémence Tilquin | Galla
Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Diego Ceretta | direction
-
Sung in French, surtitled in French/English
-
Approx. running time : 2h15
About
Following the success of Manon, Werther and so many other richly melodic and lush works which are so characteristic of his personal style, Massenet turned to a historical subject with Roma – an unusual work, whose beauty lies in its tragic power. The subject matter drawn from Antiquity and the libretto encouraged the composer to write more pared-back music, stripped of all artifice. Massenet focuses closely on his subject and delivers a spare and serious score with carefully handled hints of passion. To deliver this rare work by Massenet, the Palazzetto Bru Zane team has once again assembled a cast of singers who are devotees of this very early twentieth-century repertoire.
Production Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, en collaboration avec le Palazzetto Bru Zane – Centre de musique romantique française