SEASON 2016/17 - Liceu Opera Barcelona YOU FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE MASS MEDIA SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORTERS CORPORATE PARTNERS EL PETIT LICEU ABC Agència EFE Barcelona TV Expansión GIVE

SEASON

2016/17

THANK YOUFOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE

MASS MEDIA

SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORTERS

CORPORATE PARTNERS

EL PETIT LICEU

ABC Agència EFE Barcelona TV Expansión

GIVE US YOUR SUPPORTIf you'd like everyone, everywhere to have a chance to discover opera.If you'd like them to revel in the feelings, the emotions and the thrills.If you'd like to share in our values and history.If you'd like to be part of a living, top-flight opera house that reaches out to the world.

So that we can all enjoy the Liceu together and be the stars of the cast.

Get in touch and we'll tell you how:

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COLLABORATORS

Carlos AbrilSalvador AlemanyJosep BalcellsJoaquim BarraquerNúria BasiManuel BertranManuel BertrandAgustí BouCarmen BuquerasCucha CabanéJoan CamprubíGuzmán ClavelJosep M. Corrales

Manuel CrehuetJosep CusíAntoni EsteveMagda Ferrer-DalmauMaria Font de CarullaMercedes FusterJosé GabeirasJosé Luis GalíFrancisco GaudierLluís M. GinjaumeEzequiel GiróJaume GraellFrancisco A. Granero

Pere GrauCalamanda GrifollFrancesca GuardiolaMaria GuaschJosé Manuel MasJosep MilianJosé M. MohedanoCarmen MolinsJoan MolinsJosep Ignasi MolinsJosep OliuMaria ReigFrancisco Reynés

Miquel RocaJosep SabéFrancisco SalameroMaria SoldevilaJordi SolerKaren SwensonManuel TerrazoErnestina TorellóJoan UriachMarta UriachJosep VilarasauMaria Vilardell †Salvador Viñas

BENEFACTORS

Amics de l'Òpera de TarragonaJuan José Araúna Ramon BassasAmèlia Bataller Montserrat Baulenas Manuel BertranMontserrat Boix Beatriz Bonet Sebastià Borràs M. Àngels Bosch José Ignacio Brugarolas Josep Brustenga Manuel Busquet Mercè Castells Àngela Català Guzmán Clavel José M. Coronas Anna Cruella José Miguel Cuatrecasas Andrea de Escalada Julio de la CruzMontserrat Escofet Salvador Escofet Isabel Escudé Maria Farré

Carlos Garcés Àngels Garcia Anna M. GarciaCarme Garriga F. Xavier GarrigaEzequiel Giró Joan GonzàlezJaume GraellMontserrat Grifell Eulàlia Juncosa Tomàs Llusera Javier LozanoMercè Mata M. Rosa MiquelAlfons MirallesManel MogasAnna MoleroFerran MolinaJulio MolinarioRamon MoretCatalina MunarM. Glòria NebotM. Ángeles NicolásMarta ObregónCarme OlivellaElisenda Olivella

Núria OliverasAntoni PlanasM. del Pilar Pons Rosa M. ProvencioPura PuchalEncarna RocaJosep RocaM. Carme RusiñolM. del Carmen Sáez Anna M. SagarraMontserrat SireraMaria SoldevilaJaume SubiràNoemí TorrentJosep Torrent Roser TorresAntoni TorvàHeribert TuruIsabel VergéTeresa VilardellTristan XancóPere ZanuyJosep Joan Zaragoza

AMICS BENEFACTORS

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FOUNDATIONHonorary President Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó

President of the Board Joaquim Molins i Amat First Vice-president Santi Vila i Vicente Second Vice-president José María Lassalle Ruiz Third Vice-president Jaume Asens i Llodrà Fourth Vice-president Mercè Conesa i Pagès Representatives of the Government of Catalonia Josep M. Busquets i Galera, Pilar Fernández i Bozal, Jordi Sellas i Ferrés, Pau Villòria i SistachRepresentatives of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport Santiago Fisas Ayxelà, Francisco Gaudier Fargas, Montserrat Iglesias Santos, Santiago de Torres i Sanahuja Representatives of Barcelona City Council Isabel Balliu i Badia, Berta Sureda i Berna Representative of Barcelona Provincial Council Juanjo Puigcorbé i Benaiges Representatives of the Society of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Ignasi Borrell i Roca, Manuel Busquet i Arrufat, Javier Coll i Olalla, Josep Maria Coronas i Guinart, Àgueda Viñamata y de Urruella Representatives of the Sponsorship Council Salvador Alemany i Mas, Luis Herrero Borque, Carlos López Blanco, Alfonso Rodés i Vilà

EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONPresident Joaquim Molins i AmatRepresentatives of the Government of Catalonia Santi Vila i Vicente, Pau Villòria i SistachRepresentatives of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport Montserrat Iglesias Santos, Antonio Garde HerceRepresentatives of Barcelona City Council Isabel Balliu i Badia, Berta Sureda i Berna Representative of Barcelona Provincial Council Juanjo Puigcorbé i BenaigesRepresentatives of the Society of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Manuel Busquet i Arrufat, Javier Coll i Olalla Representatives of the Sponsorship Council Salvador Alemany i Mas, Luis Herrero Borque

Secretary of the Board and the Executive Commission Joaquim Badia

MANAGEMENT TEAMGeneral Manager Roger GuaschGeneral Artistic Director Christina ScheppelmannMusic Director Josep PonsFinancial Director Anna SerranoDirector of Communications and International Relations Joan CorberaMarketing and Commercial Director Agustí FilomenoDirector of Human Resources and General Services Jordi TarragóTechnical Director Xavier SagreraDirector of the Music Department Antoni PallèsAssistant to the Artistic Director Leticia MartínChorus Director Conxita Garcia

The Foundation of the Gran Teatre del Liceu is a member of:

ORQUESTRA DEL GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU

OUR ORCHESTRA

COR DEL GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU

OUR CHORUS

TABLE OF CONTENTS16 PRESENTATION

18 EL PETIT LICEU

28 OPERA

58 BALLET

66 CONCERTS AND RECITALS

78 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TICKETS

The 2016/17 season, designed by our Artistic Director Christina Scheppelmann, rests on two basic principles: balance and quality. At the Liceu great voices ring out, but the stars of the future also get their chance; the classical and contemporary idioms alternate; new technologies revolutionize the stage; and, most important of all, a great team of leaders ensure that the Liceu remains a cultural landmark.

The season begins officially on 7 October with a highly theatrical version of Verdi's Macbeth directed by Christof Loy, who returns after his brilliant Arabella. In response to audience demand, however, activities will be underway in September with extra performances of the last title of the 2015/16 season: Mozart's Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), in a production that achieves an unforgettable blend of opera and animation.

In November one of the great classics returns: Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), in a version by Lluís Pasqual, which brings baritone Kyle Ketelsen back to the Liceu. The last title in 2016 will be Elektra by Richard Strauss, as seen by that giant of French drama, Patrice Chéreau. This key work of the 20th century repertory has a hauntingly tragic and violent plot, matched by music of extreme intensity. It is a veritable tour de force for both the orchestra and Evelyn Herlitzius, in the title role, who will be on stage from beginning to end.

To ring in 2017 we have Werther by Jules Massenet. Werther is one of the basic tenor parts and will be played by Piotr Beczala and Josep Bros in turn. The Expressionistic mise-en-scene signed by Willy Decker (Billy Budd, Death in Venice…) restores the essentially Romantic character of this tragic protagonist.

Luca Francesconi's Quartett is part of the contemporary repertory. Alex Ollé (La Fura dels Baus) will bring us this updated, hi-tech version of Les liaisons dangereuses, in which projected images and stunning sets play a prominent part.

After celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his Liceu debut, Plácido Domingo returns as Athanaël in a concert version of Massenet's Thaïs. One of the season's great novelties, without a shadow of doubt, is Verdi's Rigoletto, which comes to us in a classical interpretation with colourful, striking decors. Javier Camarena will be singing the role of the Duke of Mantua for the first time ever and Carlos Álvarez will be back as Rigoletto.

May will be a busy month, with two operas on the bill simultaneously: Wagner's The Flying Dutchman (Der fliegende Holländer) and Donizetti's La fille du régiment. The former will be conducted by Oksana Lyniv who, after working with Kirill Petrenko, is triumphing in opera houses throughout the world, while the latter is a revival of the famous Laurent Pelly production we saw in the 2009/10 season. Both offer luxury casts, Javier Camarena's presence being of special note, since it will be his second Liceu appearance this year.

In the final straight of the season, we find Kasper Holten's version of Mozart's Don Giovanni –- a coproduction between the Liceu and the Royal Opera House, combining classical touches with a spectacular revolving set and projections –- and Verdi's Il trovatore, sung by a magnificent cast in a new interpretation by Joan Anton Rechi. And last but not least, The Merry Widow (Die lustige Witwe) will bring the season to a close.

Three different productions make up the ballet programme: Coppélia by the Ballet Nacional Sodre from Uruguay, directed by dancer Julio Bocca; La Stravaganza, a contemporary creation by choreographer Angelin Preljocaj; and the well-known creations of IT Dansa.

The Liceu Symphony Orchestra continues to perfect its talents in the symphony music season by performing works from the major repertory. These include Mozart's Requiem – the Pau Casals Memorial Concert – and the Tchaikovsky concert series featuring concertos for piano and violin, with Khatia Buniatishvili and Chad Hoopes respectively as the soloists,.

Finally the Petit Liceu season gets off to a strong start with Aria Kadabra 16/17, which uses spells and sleight of hand to explore the titles in this year's adult season. Two popular shows for younger children return to the bill –- Els músics de Bremen and L’ocell prodigiós — while La petita Flauta Màgica is back in force as a family show for the festive season. Besides enjoying Guillem Tell and El Superbarber de Sevilla, teenagers will have an opportunity to discover full-scale operatic performances thanks to a new subscription formula. The conversion of the PE series of performances into an “Initiation to Opera” Budget Subscription is the prime novelty of this year's subscriptions, designed to allow young people, families, seniors and other groups to sample our opera programme at extremely attractive rates.

16 | PRESENTATION PRESENTATION | 17

PRESENTATION

EL PETIT LICEU20 ARIA KADABRA 16/17

21 EL SUPERBARBER DE SEVILLA

22 LA PETITA FLAUTA MÀGICA

24 L'OCELL PRODIGIÓS

25 LA CASA FLOTANT

26 ELS MÚSICS DE BREMEN

27 GUILLEM TELL

With the support of

In cooperation with

EL SUPERBARBER DE SEVILLA

ARIAKADABRA16/17

EL PETIT LICEU | 2120 | EL PETIT LICEU

NOVEMBER 2016 Rate

19 SATURDAY 12.00 h XIV20 SUNDAY 11.00 h XIV

OCTOBER 2016 Rate

16 SUNDAY 11.00 h XIV22 SATURDAY 12.00 h XIV23 SUNDAY 12.00 h XIV

AT THE GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU

Music Gioachino RossiniStage director TricicleCoproduction Gran Teatre del LiceuInstitut Valencià de la Música

Magic director BrandoArtistic director SilvanaIdea and creation Opera IllusionDramaturgy and stage Anna LlopartNew production Gran Teatre del LiceuCharacters played by Brando i Silvana, Kris, Mag Ramó and Roberto Vara

THROUGHOUT THE 2016/17 SEASON: A MAGICAL SHOW

Magic invades the Liceu once more in a fascinating show of make-believe in which the witches from Macbeth cast a spell on Figaro, sending him rushing off to explore the entire 2016/17 Liceu programme and discover titles like Elektra, Rigoletto and Don Giovanni...

Scenes and illusions rich in colour and surprises, and a mystery or two to solve by pronouncing the Liceu's magic words: Aria Kadabra.

Magic, sleight of hand and opera in a fun-filled show for audiences of all ages.

Approximate running time: 60 minutes. Recommended for audiences over 6, over 12, over 16... in short, for any age!

Photo: Aria Kadabra


NEW

SEASON,

NEWSHOW

ADAPTED BY EL TRICICLE FROM ROSSINI'S FAMOUS OPERA

Rosina is in love with young Count Almaviva. But her guardian, Doctor Bartolo, will stop at nothing to drive them apart because he wants to marry her himself and get his hands on her fortune. Fortunately the funny, lovable barber Figaro lays a series of traps for Bartolo and the young lovers are reunited.

Adapted for young audiences by El Tricicle from Rossini's opera The Barber of Seville.

A show featuring well-known tunes, a spanking space, and side-splitting humour.

Approximate running time: 75 minutes. Recommended from 8 years

Photo: El Superbarber de Sevilla

DECEMBER 2016 Rate

17* SATURDAY 18.00 h XV26 MONDAY 19.30 h XIV27 TUESDAY 11.00 h XIV

* At the Teatre-Auditori Sant Cugat

AT THE TEATRE-AUDITORI SANT CUGAT AND AT THE GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU

22 | EL PETIT LICEU

FEBRUARY 2017 Rate

18 SATURDAY 18.00 h XV19 SUNDAY 12.00 h XV

EL PETIT LICEU | 23

AT THE TEATRE-AUDITORI SANT CUGAT

LA PETITA FLAUTA MÀGICA

L'OCELL PRODIGIÓS


Photo: La petita Flauta Màgica

Music Wolfgang Amadeus MozartStage director Joan Font (Comediants)Production Gran Teatre del Liceu

THE ADVENTURES OF PAPAGENO AS SEEN BY JOAN FONT (COMEDIANTS)

Papageno the bird-catcher tells us about the wonderful adventures he had with his friend Prince Tamino when they set out together to rescue Princess Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of Night, who was held prisoner by the wicked Sarastro.

A children's version of Mozart's Magic Flute by Comediants. This dashing, eye-catching production is a regular feature of the Petit Liceu programme and has already been seen by over 380,000 people.

An enjoyable, entertaining operatic show.


Photo: L'ocell prodigiós

Music Igor StravinskyOriginal idea and dramatization Joaquín Casanova and Elisa RamosStage director Joaquín CasanovaNew production La Maquiné and ABAO - OLBE

With its rich narrative content and universal values, this is an ideal story to tell in musical form, especially for children.

A PUPPET VERSION OF THE LEGEND OF STRAVINSKY'S FIREBIRD

The garden of paradise is home to all species of animals and plants, including a little bird the colour of fire that nobody has ever seen. His flight is like a spark of light, his plumage is handsome, and his song bewitching... He's the wonderbird! Surely you've heard of him?In this show, inspired by Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird, the piano and violin provide the music, while the plot is taken from a Russian folk tale and the legend of the Phoenix.Puppets, actors and video images join forces in this unique production to tell a tale that will delight the young and the not-so-young alike.

LACASAFLOTANT

FEBRUARY 2017 Rate


Music Xavier Montsalvatge and Claude Debussy Original idea and dramatization Joaquín Casanova and Elisa RamosStage director Joaquín CasanovaCoproduction Gran Teatre del Liceu, Festival Internacional de Música y Danza, Granada, and Kreart-La Maquiné

EL PETIT LICEU | 25


ELSMÚSICSDE BREMEN

24 | EL PETIT LICEU

MARCH 2017 Rate


APRIL 2017 Rate



NOÈ MUST SAVE ALL THE ANIMALS AND GET THEM ON BOARD THE ARK!

Noè is a little girl who has never seen rain and longs to see a rainbow. One day she saves the life of a fish. It's so grateful that it warns her a great flood is about to sweep over the world. So Noè builds a ship and tells all the animals to come on board and be saved. But some fail to answer the call, so she decides to go and find them in this great musical adventure.A dramatized tale, in which music by Montsalvatge and Debussy, played live on the piano, combines with images to create a deeply moving effect. The youngest members of the audience will be thrilled by the big animals in puppet form.

Visual magic, with evocative music played live on stage by a pianist. The show also addresses the theme of respect for the earth and the environment.


Photo: La casa flotant


Photo: Els músics de Bremen

Music Poire VallvéStage director Joan-Andreu Vallvé(Centre de Titelles de Lleida)Production Gran Teatre del Liceu

A show that will fascinate the very young.

A FARMYARD REVOLUTION PERFORMED BY PUPPETS

This tale is about farm animals who rebel against their cruel owners and solve their predicament thanks to their sharp wits and teamwork.

A dance show for puppets based on the Grimm brothers' fairy tale. Set to original music composed specially for the show, it includes a scene in which the children join in the song «Cap a Bremen» («Off to Bremen»).

GUILLEMTELL

MAY 2017 Rate

6 SATURDAY 18.00 h XV

AT THE TEATRE-AUDITORI SANT CUGAT

26 | EL PETIT LICEU EL PETIT LICEU | 27

PERFORMANCE GUIDEFOR SPECIFIC AGE GROUPS

Formulas to enable you enjoy our shows:

· Family group shows: Enjoy one show per season at a flat rate of 25 € per seat. Apply in advance to the Box Office.· Youth subscription: The PE series offers discounts of up to 50% to young people who buy tickets to 4-5 shows. More information on page 98. · Discounts for students and young people under 18: Purchase tickets to a seat anywhere in the opera house at a flat rate of 30 € on the day of the performance.

· Last-minute discounts for the under-35s: Buy two tickets at a 50% discount on the day of the performance.· Carnet Jove (Catalan government youth ID): special offers and discounts.

In the course of the season the Liceu announces special offers and discounts, such as the Secret Seat Service. More information from liceubarcelona.cat

The Liceu has more to offer young people besides the Petit Liceu shows. In the following calendar we also propose a few titles from the 2016/17 adult season which are recommended for those under 16.

PERFORMANCES Recommended for 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

ELS MÚSICS DE BREMEN

LA CASA FLOTANT

L'OCELL PRODIGIÓS

LA PETITA FLAUTA MÀGICA

GUILLEM TELL

ARIA KADABRA 16/17

EL SUPERBARBER DE SEVILLA

IT DANSA

BNS / JULIO BOCCA

THE MAGIC FLUTE

LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT

RIGOLETTO

MOZART'S REQUIEM

IL TROVATORE

MACBETH

WERTHER

TCHAIKOVSKY SERIES


Photo: Guillem Tell

Music Gioachino RossiniAdapted, dramatized and directed by La BaldufaStage director Ramon MolinsSet design Carles PijuanProduction Gran Teatre del Liceu

ONCE UPON A TIME... THERE WAS AN ARROW, AN APPLE, AND GIOACHINO ROSSINI

Guillem (aka «William») Tell is a Swiss hero who heads his people's revolt against their Austrian overlords and is forced to shoot an arrow at an apple placed on his son's head.

This fast-paced adaption of Rossini's opera was made by the company La Baldufa for family audiences. It uses a range of artistic techniques, including puppets, animation, and sets inspired by medieval times.

A theatrical tour de force.

OPERAS31 THE MAGIC FLUTE

33 MACBETH

35 LE NOZZE DI FIGARO

37 ELEKTRA

39 WERTHER

41 QUARTETT

43 TEUZZONE

45 THAÏS

47 RIGOLETTO

49 THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

51 LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT

53 DON GIOVANNI

55 IL TROVATORE

57 THE MERRY WIDOW

THE MAGIC FLUTEDIE ZAUBERFLÖTEWOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

SEPTEMBER 2016 Series Rate

12 MONDAY 20 h PA VII13 TUESDAY 20 h PE VII15 THURSDAY 20 h PC VII16 FRIDAY 20 h PB VI17* SATURDAY 18 h PD VI

OPERAS | 31

Approximate running time: 3 hours

*Performance with audio description

Audience briefing session in the Foyer 45 minutes before the opera begins

Photo: Die Zauberflöte at the Komische Oper Berlin © Komische Oper Berlin

Music director Antonello Manacorda Stage directors Suzanne Andrade and Barrie KoskyVideos Paul BarrittOriginal idea «1927» (Suzanne Andrade and Paul Barritt) and Barrie KoskySet design and costumes Esther BialasDramaturgy Ulrich LenzLighting Diego LeetzProduction Komische Oper Berlin

Pamina Maureen McKay (12, 15 and 17/9) / Adela Zaharia (13 and 16/9)Tamino Jussi Myllys (12, 15 and 17/9) / Adrian Strooper (13 and 16/9)Papageno Richard SvedaPapagena Julia GiebelSarastro Dimitry IvashchenkoQueen of Night Olga PudovaMonostatos Johannes DunzFirst lady Mirka WagnerSecond lady Karolina GumosThird lady Nadine WeissmannMan in armour 1 Timothy RichardsMan in armour 2 Bogdan TalosThe singers and music director are members of the Komische Oper Berlin company

Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Chorus director Conxita Garcia

Singspiel in two actsLibretto by Emanuel SchikanederWorld premiere: 30/09/1791 at the Theater an der WienFirst Liceu performance: 15/01/1925Last Liceu performance: 28/07/2016Number of Liceu performances: 69

* MAGICAL, SPECTACULAR AND MOVING* EVOCATIVE OF A 1920S SILENT MOVIE

After being attacked by a snake, Tamino is rescued by the three ladies-in-waiting of the Queen of Night, who promises he will marry her daughter Pamina if he can save her from the wicked Sarastro. Tamino sets off with the bird-catcher Papageno, a magic flute, and a set of magic chimes. They find Pamina but discover that Sarastro is in fact protecting her from her mother. Tamino successfully overcomes three trials to win Pamina's hand. The furious Queen pursues them but is ultimately vanquished.

This opera, rife with symbolism and allusions to Free Masonry, was the last Mozart wrote. He conducted it on the first night, shortly before he died.

This production, which blends the singers with colourful animations reminiscent of the silent films of the 1920s, arouses enthusiasm everywhere it goes.

«Brilliant transformation of The Magic Flute» (Los Angeles Times)«A clever concept and precise execution» (New York Times)

* AN OPERA TO MARK SHAKESPEARE YEAR* IN A SPECTACULAR AND SURREALISTIC PRODUCTION

Scotland. Macbeth listens as the mysterious witches foretell that he will become king of Scotland. When his wife finds out, she persuades him to murder the present king and take his place. The witches' predictions drive Macbeth to treat both friends and rivals with brutality until, alone and furious, he faces the final battle and perishes.

Giuseppe Verdi venerated Shakespeare's plays and this was his first opera based on a text by the Bard. He wanted to achieve "something extraordinary", a phrase which sums up his his enthusiasm.

In this version, stage director Christof Loy chooses a classical, timeless setting and adds touches of surrealism. Black and white predominate and the drama is intense.

MACBETHGIUSEPPE VERDI

Music director Giampaolo BisantiStage director Christof LoyChoreography Thomas WilhelmSet design Jonas DahlbergCostumes Ursula RenzenbrinkCostume assistant Sarah J.RolkeLighting Bernd PurkrabekProduction Grand Théâtre de Genève

Macbeth Ludovic Tézier (7, 10, 13, 16, 20 and 23/10) / Luca Salsi (8, 11, 14, 19 and 22/10)Lady Macbeth Martina Serafin (7, 10, 13, 16, 20 and 23/10) / Tatiana Serjan (8, 11, 14, 19 and 22/10)Banco Vitalij Kowaljow (7, 10, 13, 16, 20 and 23/10) / Alessandro Guerzoni (8, 11, 14, 19 and 22/10)Macduff Saimir Pirgu (7, 10, 13, 16, 20 and 23/10) / Teodor Ilincai (8, 11, 14, 19 and 22/10)Malcolm Albert CasalsLady-in waiting to Lady Macbeth Anna PucheServant/Herald/Assassin Marc Canturri


Melodrama in four actsLibretto by Francesco Maria PiaveWorld premiere of the first version:14/03/1847, Teatro della Pergola, FlorencePremiere of the second (French) version:21/04/1865, Théâtre Lyrique, ParisFirst staged in Barcelona: 01/07/1848, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 05/04/2004Total Liceu performances: 106

OPERAS | 33

OCTOBER 2016 Series Rate

7 FRIDAY 20 h H I8 SATURDAY 20 h C IV10 MONDAY 20 h A IV11 TUESDAY 20 h PA VI13 THURSDAY 20 h B II14 FRIDAY 20 h E VI16 SUNDAY 17 h T II19* WEDNESDAY 20 h PE VI20 THURSDAY 20 h D III22 SATURDAY 20 h PB VI23 SUNDAY 18 h F II

Approximate running time: 3 hours and 20 minutes



Photo: Macbeth at the Grand Théâtre de Genève © GTG/Monika Rittershaus

Christof Loy's production

LE NOZZEDI FIGAROWOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

NOVEMBER 2016 Series Rate

7 MONDAY 20 h H V 10 THURSDAY 20 h E IV12 SATURDAY 18 h F IV14 MONDAY 20 h G V16 WEDNESDAY 20 h B IV19* SATURDAY 20 h C IV 20 SUNDAY 17 h T V

Opera buffa in four actsLibretto by Lorenzo Da PonteWorld premiere: 01/05/1786,Burgtheater, ViennaFirst staged in Barcelona: 02/02/1916, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 03/02/2012Total Liceu performances: 90

OPERAS | 35

* MOZART'S BRILLIANT CONTRIBUTION TO OPERA BUFFA* DIRECTED BY LLUÍS PASQUAL AGAINST A 1930S BACKCLOTH

Seville, Spain. Figaro, the barber, is preparing for his wedding to Susanna but Bartolo wants him to marry Marcellina, his housekeeper. Count Almaviva makes advances to Susanna but she and Rosina, the Countess, devise a scheme to arouse the Count's jealousy. Meanwhile young Cherubino longs to discover what love is all about...

Based on the second part of Beaumarchais' trilogy about Figaro, which began with Le barbier de Séville, this masterpiece of opera buffa features wonderful music and attains great dramatic depth. It was the first brilliant achievement of the Mozart-Da Ponte tandem.

A revival of the much applauded show by Lluís Pasqual, set in the 1930s, which makes great demands on the actors and puts the spotlight on the amorous intrigues of the plot.

Music director Josep Pons Stage director Lluís PasqualChoreography Montse ColoméSet design Paco AzorínCostumes Franca SquarciapinoLighting Albert FauraCoproduction Gran Teatre del Liceu and Welsh National Opera (Cardiff)

Figaro Kyle Ketelsen Susanna Mojca Erdmann (7, 12, 14, 16 and 19/11) / Elena Copons (10 and 20/11)Count Almaviva Gyula OrendtCountess Almaviva Olga MykytenkoCherubino Anna Bonitatibus (7, 12, 14, 16 and 19/11) / Gemma Coma-Alabert (10 and 20/11)Bartolo Valeriano LanchasMarcellina Maria Riccarda Wesseling Basilio José Manuel ZapataBarbarina Isabella GaudíDon Curzio Vicenç Esteve MadridAntonio Roberto Accurso





Photo: Le nozze di Figaro at the Liceu (2011/12) © Antoni Bofill

Lluís Pasqual's production at the Liceu

ELEKTRARICHARD STRAUSS

DECEMBER 2016 Series Rate

7 WEDNESDAY 20 h H VI 11 SUNDAY 17 h T V15 THURSDAY 20 h B V19* MONDAY 20 h A VI23 FRIDAY 20 h C V

Tragedy in one actLibretto by Hugo von Hoffmansthal.World premiere: 25/01/1909,Dresden OperaFirst staged in Barcelona: 15/02/1949, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 03/03/2008Total Liceu performances: 36

OPERAS | 37

* AN OPERATIC RARITY AT THE LICEU* BY THE GREAT FILM DIRECTOR PATRICE CHÉREAU

Mycenae, Greece. Elektra and Chrysothemis are the daughters of Queen Klytämnestra, who murdered her husband with the complicity of her lover Aegisth. Her daughters plan their revenge but before they can act, their brother Orest, whom everyone thought dead, returns. When he finds out what has occurred, he kills both his mother and her lover. Elektra performs a wild triumphal dance and then falls dead. This is a work of musical contrasts, in which Strauss reflects the full horror of Sophocles' tragedy.

This famous production was the last by the versatile film and play director Patrice Chéreau. The action takes place at an unspecified period. Both the characters and the human dimension of the tragedy of Elektra, are portrayed with superb skill.

Music director Josep PonsStage director Patrice Chéreau (†2013)Stage director of this revival Vincent HuguetSet design Richard PeduzziCostumes Caroline de VivaiseLighting Dominique BruguièreCoproduction Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro alla Scala (Milan), Metropolitan Opera House (New York), Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Berlin) and Finnish National Opera (Helsinki)

Klytämnestra Waltraud MeierElektra Evelyn HerlitziusChrysothemis Adrianne PieczonkaAegisth Thomas RandleOrest Alan HeldThe Tutor of Orestes Franz MazuraThe Overseer/The Confidante of Klytämnestra Renate BehleYoung Servant Florian HoffmannFirst Maidservant Bonita HymanThe Royal Train-bearer/Second Maidservant Andrea HillThird Maidservant Silvia HablowetzFourth Maidservant Marie-Eve MungerFifth Maidservant Roberta Alexander


Approximate running time: 1 hour and 45 minutes



Photo: Elektra at the Teatro alla Scala. © Brescia e Amisano/Teatro alla Scala

Patrice Chéreau's production at the Festival of Aix-en-Provence (2013).

WERTHERJULES MASSENET

JANUARY 2017 Series Rate

15 SUNDAY 17 h T III17 TUESDAY 20 h PC VII18 WEDNESDAY 20 h H V19 THURSDAY 20 h B VI23 MONDAY 20 h A IV24 TUESDAY 20 h PE VII25 WEDNESDAY 20 h D IV27 FRIDAY 20 h PB V28 SATURDAY 20 h C III29 SUNDAY 18 h PD V31 TUESDAY 20 h PA VII

Lyric drama in four actsLibretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet andGeorges HartmannWorld premiere: 16/02/1892, Vienna OperaFirst staged in Barcelona: 29/04/1899, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 19/07/1992Total Liceu performances: 51

FEBRUARY 2017 Series Rate

1 WEDNESDAY 20 h G IV3* FRIDAY 20 h E IV4 SATURDAY 18 h F V

OPERAS | 39

* GOETHE'S CLASSIC RETURNS TO THE LICEU AFTER 25 YEARS* A PRODUCTION THAT HAS WON ACCLAIM THE WORLD OVER

Wetzlar, Germany. Werther is in love with Charlotte but when she becomes engaged to another man he has to give her up. After her marriage, Charlotte sends him away. Driven to despair by his impossible love, Werther commits suicide and expires in his beloved Charlotte's arms.

In this opera based on Goethe's novel, Massenet paints a faithful portrait of a personage who embodies the Romantic concept of melancholy caused by disappointed love. Willy Decker's Romantic-Expressionist production has already won acclaim in various opera houses. The contrasting colours and impossible shapes match the different states of mind evoked by the plot.

Music director Alain AltinogluStage director Willy DeckerSet design Wolfgang GussmannCostumes Wolfgang GussmannLighting Joachim KleinProduction Oper Frankfurt Werther Piotr Beczala (15, 18, 23, 25 and 28/1; 1 and 3/2) /Josep Bros (17, 19, 24, 27, 29 and 31/1; 4/2)Charlotte Anna Caterina Antonacci (15, 18, 23, 25 and 28/1; 1 and 3/2) / Nora Gubisch (17, 19, 24, 27, 29 and 31/1; 4/2)Albert Étienne Dupuis (15, 18, 23, 25 and 28/1; 1 and 3/2) / Joan Martín-Royo (17, 19, 24, 27, 29 and 31/1; 4/2)Sophie Elena Sancho Péreg (15, 18, 23, 25 and 28/1; 1 and 3/2) / Sonia de Munck (17, 19, 24, 27, 29 and 31/1; 4/2)The Magistrate Stefano PalatchiJohann Marc CanturriSchmidt Antoni Comas

Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió de GranollersChildren’s chorus director Josep Vila i Jover




Photo: Werther at the Oper Frankfurt. © Barbara Aumüller/Oper Frankfurt

Willy Decker's production in Rome (2015).

QUARTETTLUCA FRANCESCONI

Opera in one actLibretto by Luca FrancesconiWorld premiere: 26/04/2011,Teatro alla Scala, MilanFirst performance in Spain


22 WEDNESDAY 20 h D VIII 26 SUNDAY 18 h PD VIII27 MONDAY 20 h A VIII

MARCH 2017 Series Rate

2 THURSDAY 20 h B VIII3* FRIDAY 20 h PB VIII

OPERAS | 41

* FIRST PERFORMANCE IN SPAIN OF THE BRILLIANT PRODUCTION BY ALEX OLLÉ (LA FURA DELS BAUS)

Paris, France. Two ex-lovers get caught up in a game of seduction that can only end in death. The Marquise de Merteuil challenges the Viscomte de Valmont to seduce her niece Cécile, who is a virgin, but he opts instead to lead Madame de Tourvel, a faithful wife, astray.

The opera composed by Luca Francesconi — a re-reading of Heiner Müller's play based on Les liaisons dangereuses — reflects on the decadence of certain classes of society. Alex Ollé (of La Fura dels Baus) offers a production set in a box suspended above the stage to represent the emotional isolation of the characters.

Music played live by the Liceu Orchestra combines with recorded and electronically manipulated music played by another orchestra, the sound of which is projected over the audience's heads. A unique experience of immersion.

Music director Peter RundelStage director Àlex Ollé (La Fura dels Baus)Set design Alfons FloresCostumes Lluc CastellsLighting Marco FilibeckVideo Franc AleuSound design Serge Lemouton/IRCAMProduction Teatro alla Scala (Milan)

Viscomte de Valmont Robin AdamsMarquise de Merteuil Allison Cook

Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu




Photo: Quartett at the Teatro alla Scala. © Brescia e Amisano/Teatro alla Scala

Report on Quartett by the Royal Opera House (2014)

TEUZZONE ANTONIO VIVALDI

Opera in three actsLibretto by Apostolo ZenoWorld premiere: Carnival season 1719,Teatro Arciducale, MantuaFirst performance in Spain


24 FRIDAY 20 h G VIII25 SATURDAY 18 h F VIII

OPERAS | 43

* FIRST EVER PERFORMANCE AT THE GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU* JORDI SAVALL BRINGS VIVALDI'S MOST EXOTIC OPERA BACK TO LIFE

China. Prince Teuzzone is the late Emperor's legitimate heir. But Zidiana, his widow, plots with governor Cino and general Sivenio to oust him. In the end the rivalry between them causes the plot to fail and the Prince is restored to power.

Teuzzone, by Antonio Vivaldi, has a libretto by Apostolo Zeno. It is the composer's most exotic opera, and one of the least well known, despite the fascinating arias it contains.

First performed in 1719 at the Mantua Carnival, it also comes to the Liceu at carnival time. We owe the revival of this Baroque opera to Jordi Savall, who brings it to the Liceu for the very first time, nearly three hundred years after the premiere.

Music director Jordi Savall

Teuzzone Paolo LópezZidiana Marta FumagalliZelinda Sonia PrinaSivenio Furio ZanasiCino Roberta MameliEgaro Aurelio SchiavoniTroncone Carlo Allemano

Le Concert des Nations

CONCERT VERSION


Photo: Jordi Savall

Listen to Vivaldi's marvellous music conducted by Jordi Savall.


1 WEDNESDAY 20 h D V4 SATURDAY 20 h E V

Comédie lyrique in three actsLibretto by Louis GalletWorld premiere: 16/03/1894, Opéra de ParisFirst staged in Barcelona: 22/02/1905, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 08/07/2007(concert version)Total Liceu performances: 34

OPERAS | 45

* PLÁCIDO DOMINGO RETURNS IN AN OPERA SELDOM SEEN AT THE LICEU* A WORK THAT MAKES GREAT VOCAL DEMANDS

Egypt. Athanaël, a monk, wants to convert the courtesan Thaïs to Christianity. She tries to seduce him but he persists and manages to win her over. After leaving her in a nunnery, he realizes he loves her. Time goes by and Athanaël dreams that Thaïs is dying. He wakes up and rushes to the nunnery to find her on her death-bed. Thaïs thanks him for saving her soul and he confesses his love. But she dies in ecstasy, oblivious to his words.

One of Massenet's most frequently staged operas comes to the Liceu with a cast that includes Plácido Domingo. The tremendously difficult title role is accessible only to the most talented virtuoso singers.

Music director Patrick Fournillier

Thaïs Nino MachaidzeAthanaël Plácido DomingoNicias Celso AlbeloCrobyle Sara Blanch (winner of the 2016 Viñas Contest)Myrtale Marifé NogalesAlbine M. José Suárez


THAÏSJULES MASSENET

CONCERT VERSION


Photo: Plácido Domingo at the Liceu (I due Foscari, 2014/15). © Antoni Bofill

Listen to «Méditation», one of Massenet's best-loved pieces.

RIGOLETTOGIUSEPPE VERDI


21 TUESDAY 20 h G I 22 WEDNESDAY 20 h PA VI24 FRIDAY 20 h E II25 SATURDAY 18 h F V26 SUNDAY 18 h - IV28 TUESDAY 20 h PC VI29 WEDNESDAY 20 h H IV30 THURSDAY 20 h D V

APRIL 2017 Series Rate

1 SATURDAY 20 h C I 2* SUNDAY 17 h T IV3 MONDAY 20 h A II5 WEDNESDAY 20 h PE VI6 THURSDAY 20 h B I

Melodrama in three actsLibretto by Francesco Maria PiaveWorld premiere: 02/03/1851,Teatro La Fenice, VeniceFirst staged in Barcelona: 03/12/1853, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 05/01/2005Total Liceu performances: 360

OPERAS | 47

* JAVIER CAMARENA'S DEBUT AS THE DUKE OF MANTUA* THE DRAMA BY VICTOR HUGO ABOUT THE WORLD-FAMOUS JESTER

Mantua, Italy. Rigoletto, the Duke of Mantua's jester, has a secret daughter. The Duke seduces her after having her abducted and brought to his palace by courtiers who think she is the jester's mistress. Rigoletto vents his rage on them and demands his daughter back. After convincing his daughter that the Duke does not love her, he plots his revenge...

Javier Camarena has chosen the Liceu for his debut as the Duke of Mantua, starring beside Carlos Álvarez in this luxury production. Rigoletto, based on a play by Victor Hugo, is part of the operatic canon and was censored before the premiere for criticizing the monarchy of the period.

Monique Wagemakers' mise en scène is minimalist but of great technical complexity. The red Venetian Renaissance costumes recreate Rigoletto's full range of fierce emotions.

Music director Riccardo FrizzaStage director Monique WagemakersSet design Michael LevineCostumes Sandy PowelLighting Reinier TweebeekeDramaturgy Klaus BertischCoproduction Gran Teatre del Liceu and Teatro Real

Duke of Mantua Javier Camarena (21, 24, 26 and 29/3; 1, 3 and 6/4) / Antonino Siragusa (22, 25, 28 and 30/3; 2 and 5/4)Rigoletto Leo Nucci (25/3) / Carlos Álvarez (21, 24, 26 and 29/3; 1, 3 and 6/4) /Àngel Òdena (22, 28 and 30/3; 2 and 5/4)Gilda Desirée Rancatore (21, 24, 26 and 29/3; 1, 3 and 6/4) /María José Moreno (22, 25, 28 and 30/3; 2 and 5/4)Sparafucile Ante Jerkunica (21, 24, 26 and 29/3; 1, 3 and 6/4) /Enrico Iori (22, 25, 28 and 30/3; 2 and 5/4)Maddalena Ketevan Kemoklidze (21, 24, 26 and 29/3; 1, 3, 5 and 6/4) / Ana Ibarra (22, 25, 28 and 30/3; 2/4)Giovanna Gemma Coma-AlabertCount Monterone Gianfranco Montresor Marullo Toni MarsolMatteo Borsa Josep FadóCount Ceprano Xavier MendozaCountess Ceprano Mercedes Gancedo





Photo: Rigoletto at the Teatro Real. @ Javier del Real/Teatro Real

The famous quartet "Della figlia dell'amore", a fine passage from Rigoletto, sung by Carlos Álvarez and others.

Romantic opera in three actsLibretto by Richard WagnerWorld premiere: 02/01/1843,Dresden OperaFirst staged in Barcelona: 12/12/1885, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 04/09/2012(concert version)Total Liceu performances: 86

MAY 2017 Series Rate

2 TUESDAY 20 h A IV6 SATURDAY 20 h C IV10 WEDNESDAY 20 h D V14 SUNDAY 18 h PD V18 THURSDAY 20 h B IV22 MONDAY 20 h H VI26* FRIDAY 20 h E V28 SUNDAY 17 h T V

OPERAS | 49

* A TOP-NOTCH CAST FOR A NEW WAGNERIAN PRODUCTION* A PERCEPTIVE AND POETIC MISE EN SCÈNE

Norway. The Dutchman, a young man condemned to roam the seas till he finds a woman who is faithful, meets Captain Daland who is sailing home. The Captain grants him the hand of his daughter Senta, but when her previous suitor returns, the Dutchman despairs and sets sail once more. Senta, whose love is sincere, sacrifices herself to save him.

The fine cast is headed by Thomas Johannes Mayer as the Dutchman, and Emma Vetter and Anja Kampe alternating as Senta.

This perceptive production, by stage and cinema director Philipp Stölzl, reinterprets the tale by transferring it to the Daland mansion, where Senta is reading the legend of the Flying Dutchman. Fact and fiction intertwine as she imagines the events.

Music director Oksana LynivStage director Philipp StölzlChoreography Mara KurotschkaSet design Philipp Stölz, Conrad Moritz ReinhardtCostumes Ursula KudrnaLighting Herman MünzerProduction Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Berlin), original production by the Theater Basel

Daland Attila JunSenta Emma Vetter (2, 6, 10, 14, 18 and 22/5) / Anja Kampe (26 and 28/5)Erik Shawn MatheyMary Itxaro MentxakaHelmsman Mikeldi AtxalandabasoDutchman Thomas Johannes Mayer


THE FLYING DUTCHMANDER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDERRICHARD WAGNER




Photo: The Flying Dutchman at the Staatsoper Berlin. @ Matthias Baus

Watch the trailer of this production at the Staatsoper in Berlin.

LA FILLE DURÉGIMENTGAETANO DONIZETTI


16 TUESDAY 20 h A II 19 FRIDAY 20 h E III21 SUNDAY 17 h T III24 WEDNESDAY 20 h D III27 SATURDAY 20 h C III29* MONDAY 20 h H IV

Opéra-comique in two actsLibretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François-Alfred BayardWorld premiere: 11/02/1840,Opéra Comique, ParisFirst staged in Barcelona: 30/08/1844, Teatre NouFirst Liceu performance: 06/11/1850Last Liceu performance: 25/03/2010Total Liceu performances: 36

OPERAS | 51

* CAMARENA AT THE HEAD OF A GLITTERING CAST* LAURENT PELLY'S MUCH LAUDED PRODUCTION

Swiss Tyrol. Marie, a young orphan, has been adopted by a regiment of soldiers. She meets Tonio, a civilian, and falls in love, but the soldiers oppose the marriage until Tonio enlists in the regiment. The Marquise de Berkenfield claims Marie as her lost niece, takes her to her castle and tries to educate her to be a nobleman's wife. But meanwhile, Tonio and the regiment refuse to give Marie up...

The Liceu presents this new version of Laurent Pelly's much lauded production, which combines social criticism with a keen sense of humour, against a background of beautiful scenery.

A glittering cast, headed by Javier Camarena, Sabina Puértolas, Ewa Podles and Simone Alberghini, sing this refreshingly amusing opera by Donizetti.

Music director Giuseppe FinziStage director Laurent PellySet design Chantal ThomasCostumes Laurent PellyLighting Joël AdamChoreography Laura ScozziNew dialogues Agathe MélinandProduction Gran Teatre del Liceu, based on the original coproduction by the Metropolitan Opera House (New York), Royal Opera House (London) and Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna)

Marie Sabina PuértolasMarquise de Berkenfield Ewa PodlesDuchesse de Crakentorp Bibiana FernándezTonio Javier CamarenaSulpice Simone AlberghiniHortensius Isaac Galán





Photo: La fille du régiment at the Liceu (2009/10). © A. Bofill

Video of this production at the Liceu in the 2009/10 season.

DON GIOVANNIWOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

JUNE 2017 Series Rate

19 MONDAY 20 h A IV20 TUESDAY 20 h H VI21 WEDNESDAY 20 h D IV22 THURSDAY 20 h B IV26 MONDAY 20 h PA V27 TUESDAY 20 h G IV28 WEDNESDAY 20 h PC IV30 FRIDAY 20 h E VI

JULY 2017 Series Rate

1* SATURDAY 20 h C VI2 SUNDAY 17 h T VI

Dramma giocoso in two actsLibretto by Lorenzo Da PonteWorld premiere: 29/10/1787, PragueFirst staged in Barcelona: 18/12/1849,Teatre PrincipalFirst staged at the Liceu: 21/02/1866Last Liceu performance: 30/08/2008Total Liceu performances: 67

OPERAS | 53

* A PRODUCTION FEATURING STRIKING VISUAL EFFECTS* A HI-TECH VIEW OF DON GIOVANNI'S MINDSET

Seville, Spain. Don Giovanni's bid to seduce Donna Anna ends up with him fighting and killing her father, the Commendatore. In the ensuing imbroglio, Don Giovanni makes passes at girls and flees from jealous fiancés, aided and abetted by his servant Leporello. In the end the ghost of the Commendatore carries off him off, still resolutely unrepentant.

The Liceu is fortunate to be able to offer two top-quality casts with Mariusz Kwiecien and Carlos Álvarez in the title role. Kasper Holten's hi-tech production is set amid impracticable platforms and stairs. Don Giovanni's mindset is reflected in the special effects, projected images, and excellent lighting.

Music director Josep PonsStage director Kasper HoltenSet design Es DevlinVideo Luke HallsCostumes Anja Vang KraghLighting Bruno PoetChoreography Signe FabriciusCoproduction Gran Teatre del Liceu, Royal Opera House (London), The Israeli Opera (Tel Aviv) and Houston Grand Opera

Don Giovanni Mariusz Kwiecien (19, 21, 26, 28 and 30/6; 2/7) / Carlos Álvarez (20, 22 and 27/6; 1/7)Il Commendatore Eric Halfvarson (19, 21, 22, 26, 28 and 30/6; 1 and 2/7) / Mariano Buccino (20 and 27/6)Donna Anna Carmela Remigio (19, 21, 26, 28 and 30/6; 2/7) / Vanessa Goikoetxea (20, 22 and 27/6; 1/7)Don Ottavio Dmitry Korchak (19, 21, 26, 28 and 30/6; 2/7) / Toby Spence (20, 22 and 27/6; 1/7)Donna Elvira Miah Persson (19, 21, 26, 28 and 30/6; 2/7) / Myrtò Papatanasiu (20, 22 and 27/6; 1/7)Leporello Simón Orfila (19, 21, 26 and 28/6; 1/7) / Anatoli Sivko (20, 22, 27 and 30/6; 2/7)Masetto Valeriano Lanchas (19, 21, 26, 28 and 30/6; 2/7) / Toni Marsol (20, 22 and 27/6; 1/7)Zerlina Julia Lezhneva (19, 21, 26 and 28/6; 1/7) / Rocío Ignacio (20, 22, 27 and 30/6; 2/7)


Approximate running time: 3 hours



Photo: Don Giovanni at the Royal Opera House. © ROH/Bill Cooper

Enjoy the video of the presentation of this production at the Royal Opera House.

ILTROVATOREGIUSEPPE VERDI


17 MONDAY 20 h G V18 TUESDAY 20 h PE V20 THURSDAY 20 h H V21 FRIDAY 20 h C V23 SUNDAY 17 h T V24 MONDAY 20 h A V26 WEDNESDAY 20 h D V28 FRIDAY 20 h E V29* SATURDAY 18 h F V

Opera in four actsLibretto by Salvadore Cammarano andEmanuele BardareWorld premiere: 19/01/1853,Teatro Apollo, RomeFirst staged in Barcelona: 20/05/1854, LiceuLast Liceu performance: 30/12/2009Total Liceu performances: 275

OPERAS | 55

* AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE LICEU'S OWN PRODUCTION* IN A BRAND NEW MISE EN SCÈNE

Saragossa, Spain. Manrico, the troubadour, and Leonora are in love. But the Count di Luna is also wooing Leonora and his younger brother was once kidnapped by Manrico's mother, Azucena. The Count captures and tortures Azucena and when Manrico tries to rescue her, he too is captured. Leonora intercedes by offering to marry the Count, but ultimately commits suicide. Then Luna kills Manrico and it is the dying Azucena who reveals that the troubadour was the Count's long-lost brother.

Il trovatore is back, sung by great voices, in a new version by Joan Anton Rechi, set in the timeless decors created by William Orlandi.

Music director Daniele Callegari Stage director Joan Anton RechiSet design William OrlandiCostumes Mercè PalomaCoproduction Gran Teatre del Liceu and Ópera Oviedo

Count di Luna Artur Ruzinski (17, 20, 23, 26 and 29/7) / George Petean (18, 21, 24 and 28/7)Manrico Marco Berti (17, 21, 24 and 28/7) / Yonghoon Lee (18, 20, 23, 26 and 29/7)Leonora Kristin Lewis (17, 20, 23, 26 and 29/7) / Tamara Wilson (18, 21, 24 and 28/7)Azucena Marianne Cornetti (17, 20, 23, 26 and 29/7) / Ekaterina Gubanova (18, 21, 24 and 28/7)Ferrando Carlo Colombara (17, 20, 23 and 26/7) / Marco Spotti (18, 21, 24, 28 and 29/7)Ines Maria Miró Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Chorus director Conxita Garcia




Photo: Il trovatore at the Liceu (2009/10). © Antoni Bofill

Enjoy a recording of the gypsies' chorus from the 2009/10 Liceu production.


27 THURSDAY 20 h B VII

Operetta in three actsLibretto by Victor Léon and Leo SteinWorld premiere: 30/12/1905,Theater an der Wien, ViennaFirst Liceu performance: 12/03/1913Last Liceu performance: 24/02/1980Total Liceu performances: 18

OPERAS | 57

* BACK AT THE LICEU, AFTER A 37-YEAR ABSENCE* CONDUCTED BY JOSEP PONS

Paris, France. Hanna, a wealthy widow, is being pressured by Baron Zeta to marry Count Danilo for political reasons. Danilo and Hanna once had an affair but now he refuses to marry her so that no one can think he is after her money. She, on the other hand, refuses to marry him unless he tells her he loves her. After a series of vicissitudes, Hanna admits she would lose her fortune if she did remarry, so he declares his love for her and everything ends happily.

Franz Lehár's famous operetta, one of the most widely performed works in opera houses throughout the world, is back at the Liceu after a 37-year absence.

Conductor Josep Pons offers us a selection of excerpts in concert version.

Music director Josep Pons

Hanna Glawari Angela DenokeCount Danilo Bo SkovhusValencienne Elena Sancho PéregCamille Ben Bliss (winner of the 2015 Viñas Contest)



Photo: Franca Duval in the The Merry Widow at the Liceu (1962/63). © Ras Rigau

«The Waltz of the Mermaids» is one of the best known pieces in the operetta.

THE MERRY WIDOW DIE LUSTIGE WITWEFRANZ LEHÁR CONCERT VERSION

BALLET61 BNS / JULIO BOCCA

63 IT DANSA

65 BALLET PRELJOCAJ

With the support of

SODRE NATIONAL BALLET/URUGUAY JULIO BOCCA COPPÉLIA

BALLET | 61

Choreography Enrique Martínez (†1998)Music Léo Delibes Libretto Charles Nuitter, based on the tale Der Sandmann (The Sandman) by E. T. A. Hoffmann Musical adaptation John Arthur LanchberySet design and Costumes José VeronaLighting Paulo César MedeirosProduction Theatro Municipal de Rio (Brazil)

Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Music director Martín García


16 FRIDAY 20 h E VIII17 SATURDAY 17 h F VIII17 SATURDAY 21 h PB VIII18 SUNDAY 17 h T VIII20 TUESDAY 20 h H IX


Photo: Coppélia by the BNS © Santiago Barreiro

* JULIO BOCCA'S TROUPE REVISITS THIS POPULAR CLASSIC

Coppélius wants to give Franz's soul to his mechanical doll, Coppélia. But Swalhilda, Franz's fiancée, impersonates Coppélia to save him.

This amusing yet profound tale questions the scientific values that challenge faith and seek to create life on the basis of reason. It also leads us to mistrust those we love.

The inspiration for Léo Delibes' ballet came from one of E.T.A. Hoffmann's tales of fantasy. Yet both the characters and the traditional dances endow it with a marked realism.

Julio Bocca directs the Sodre National Ballet from Uruguay in this highly theatrical version. The colourful costumes reinforce the vigour and elegance of the dancing and acting.

A view from the flies of the SNB rehearsing Coppélia.

BALLET | 63

WAD RASDirectors and choreographers Montse Sánchez and Ramón BaezaMusic Antonio Martínez Ñoño

UN BALLOChoreography Jir í KyliánMusic Maurice Ravel

MINUS 16Choreography Ohad NaharinMusic Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, Luiz Antonio and Djalma Ferreira, Carl Ford, Percy Faith, Paul Lincke, Harold Arlen and Antonio Vivaldi

Production IT Dansa


28 SATURDAY 12 h - XIII29 SUNDAY 11 h - XIII


4 SATURDAY 11 h - XIII


Photo: Minus 16 by IT Dansa. © Antoni Bofill

* A NEW EXTENDED PROGRAMME FROM THE INSTITUT DEL TEATRE TO SUIT ALL AGES

Wad Ras is a lament, an attack on fear, injustice and despair. Wad Ras won first prize in the 5th Choreography Contest for Spanish and Flamenco Dancing held in Madrid.

Un ballo features two orchestral works by Ravel: "Menuet" from Le tombeau de Couperin and Pavane for a Dead Princess. Its grace and intimacy evoke a veritable imperial ball, in which the dancers form couples and then part in keeping with the harmony and rhythm.

Minus 16 moves rapidly through various states of mind, from joy to despondency, and from intimacy to collective fun... Dancers and audience come together in a unique choreographic proximity.

Audiences of all ages throughout the world have identified with these choreographies.

IT DANSATHE YOUTH COMPANY OF BARCELONA'S INSTITUT DEL TEATRE

WAD RAS UN BALLO MINUS 16

BALLET | 65

BALLET PRELJOCAJ

SPECTRAL EVIDENCE /LA STRAVAGANZAARTISTIC DIRECTOR ANGELIN PRELJOCAJ

SPECTRAL EVIDENCEChoreography Angelin PreljocajMusic John CageCostumes Olivier TheyskensLighting Mark StanleyChoreology Dany Lévêque

LA STRAVAGANZAChoreography Angelin PreljocajMusic Antonio Vivaldi ((Concerto No. 8, RV 249, excerpts from Dixit Dominus, Laudate Pueri Dominum), Evelyn Ficarra (Source of Uncertainty), Serge Morand (Naïves), Robert Normandeau (Eclats de voix), Åke Parmerud (Les objets obscurs)Set design Maya SchweizerCostumes Hervé PierreLighting Marc StanleyChoreology Noémie Perlov


8 WEDNESDAY 20 h A IX9 THURSDAY 20 h B IX10 FRIDAY 20 h D IX11 SATURDAY 17 h PD IX11 SATURDAY 21 h C VIII


Photo: Spectral Evidence by the Ballet Preljocaj.

© JC Carbonne

* THE FAMOUS PRELJOCAJ COMPANY VISITS THE LICEU AT LAST* VIVALDI INTERLACED WITH CONTEMPORARY WORKS

Spectral Evidence shows the trial of four women. The geometrical lines of the set combine with John Cage's percussion-based music to conjure up a cold, frightening atmosphere until, between a man and a woman, feelings arise. Neither the flames licking the stake nor the dream of resurrection can prevent their encounter.

In La Stravaganza music by Vivaldi is interlaced with contemporary pieces as bodies are hurled towards modern times. Couples are formed from all the periods of American immigration, only to destroy the group's rationale and transport it elsewhere.

Admire the clash between classical and modern in La Stravaganza.

CONCERTS & RECITALS68 DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY

69 SIMON KEENLYSIDE

70 MOZART REQUIEM

71 ELS PASTORETS

72 SONDRA RADVANOVSKY

73 VIÑAS SINGING CONTEST

74 GREGORY KUNDE

75 JOYCE DIDONATO & IL POMO D’ORO

76 SYMPHONY CONCERTS: TCHAIKOVSKY

RECITAL SIMON

KEENLYSIDEWorks by Glazunov, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Duparc, Poulenc, Strauss and Schubert.

Simon Keenlyside baritone Malcolm Martineau piano


18 FRIDAY 20 h PC X

ONE OF THE FINEST MALE VOICES OF OUR TIMES

Simon Keenlyside is one of the world's most charismatic baritones, displaying consistently high quality and sensitivity of interpretation. His versatility, depth and sense of drama are second to none and he ranks among the leading present-day exponents of Lieder.

Remembered at the Liceu for his brilliant performances in Hamlet and Don Giovanni, he has always been well received by the Barcelona audience. His rendering of Hamlet earned him the award for the best male singer of the season in the Critics' Awards organized by the Friends of the Liceu.

Photo: Simon Keenlyside

Hamlet in the 2003/04 Liceu season, Simon Keenlyside.

68 | CONCERTS AND RECITALS

CONCERTDMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY

Dmitri Hvorostovsky baritone

Symphony Orchestra of theGran Teatre del LiceuMikhail Tatarnikov conductor


6 SUNDAY 18 h C VIII

Photo: Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Un ballo in maschera: «Eri tu», Dmitri Hvorostovsky.

NOVEMBER TO THE SOUND OF THE WORLD'S FINEST BARITONES

The impressive Dmitri Hvorostovsky, one of the most highly acclaimed and interesting baritone voices on the worldwide opera scene, is back at the Liceu.

Hvorostovsky, who will be accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, is outstanding for his distinctive voice and stage presence. He made his international reputation by singing Russian music, both operatic and traditional, but soon became one of the leading Verdi baritones, known for his refined, expressive phrasing.

Programme: to be determined

CONCERTS AND RECITALS | 69

A DUELBETWEEN

BARITONES

PAU CASALS MEMORIAL MOZART'SREQUIEM

Elena Copons sopranoGemma Coma-Alabert mezzo-sopranoDavid Alegret tenorJosé Antonio López baritoneIgnasi Cambra pianoSymphony Orchestra and Chorus of the LiceuConxita Garcia chorus directorJosep Pons conductor


15 TUESDAY 20 h H VII17 THURSDAY 20 h E VII

Photo: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Listen to the «Dies Irae», one of the most emblematic passages from Mozart's Requiem.

AN ENTRANCINGLY LUMINOUS WORK

The Requiem is a work bathed in mystery. Its luminous lyricism has the power to entrance us while the counterpoint and fugues impress on us the inevitability of death. Its exquisite beauty has made it an all-time classic.

It was commissioned by an anonymous aristocrat, who hoped to pass it off as his own work. But the already ailing Mozart became obsessed with it and saw it as his own requiem. He failed to complete it and it was finished by his pupil F. X. Süssmayr on the basis of outlines and instructions provided by the dying composer.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Masonic Funeral Music(Maurerische Trauermusik), KV 477 (479a)Concert for piano and orchestra No. 23 in A major, KV 488Requiem, KV 626

70 | CONCERTS AND RECITALS

CHRISTMAS CONCERT ELS PASTORETS

CONCERTS AND RECITALS | 71


17 SATURDAY 12 h - XIII18 SUNDAY 11 h - XIII

Photo: Christmas Concert (2015/16) © Antoni Bofill

A reminder of Els Pastorets, a Christmas cantata by Albert Guinovart.

Albert GuinovartEls Pastorets, a Christmas cantata

Jordi Galceran textElisabeth Egea narrator

Members of the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del LiceuCor Vivaldi-Petits Cantors de CatalunyaÒscar Boada chorus director

A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC BY THE COMPOSER OF 'MAR I CEL'

This Christmas classic, based on the traditional Catalan nativity play Els Pastorets by Folch i Torres, relates the adventures of two young shepherd boys. A narrator tells the story to the accompaniment of some delightful music.

Albert Guinovart – the composer of such successful musicals as Mar i cel, Flor de nit and Gaudí – has re-orchestrated the work for its return to the Liceu. It will be performed by the Liceu Symphony Orchestra and one of Catalonia's foremost children's choirs, the Cor Vivaldi-Petits Cantors de Catalunya.

COME TO THE LICEU ANDDISCOVER THE VOICES OF THE FUTURE

Dr Jacint Vilardell founded the Contest in 1963 in memory of the famous Catalan tenor Francesc Viñas. Since then it has earned great international prestige and won support from the world's leading opera houses.

Prominent singers who have won the Viñas Contest include: Tamara Wilson (2011), Javier Camarena (2005), Violeta Urmana (1992), Zeljko Lucic (1997), Antonio Gandia (2004), Vicenç Sardinero (1965) and Elena Obraztsova (1970).

53rd edition of the International Singing Contest.

VIÑASSINGINGCONTEST

FINAL AUDITION


20 FRIDAY 15 h - XIII

FINAL CONCERT


22 SUNDAY 18 h - XII

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Final roundUp-and-coming operatic singers from all over the world who have emerged victorious from thequalifying rounds now compete for the main awards.Final concertA chance to hear the main prize-winners in thisyear's edition of the Contest.

RECITAL SONDRA RADVANOVSKY

Sondra Radvanovsky sopranoAnthony Manoli piano


22 THURSDAY 20 h D X

Photo: Sondra Radvanovsky

Sondra Radvanovsky singing «Vissi d'arte» from Tosca at the Liceu.

THE SOPRANO RETURNS AFTER TRIUMPHING IN 'TOSCA' AND 'NORMA'

The great Sondra Radvanovsky returns to the Liceu this season, accompanied on the piano by Anthony Manoli, after her triumphs in Tosca and Norma.

The critics are unanimous is considering Radvanovsky as one of the leading sopranos in her particular repertory.

«A voice with a broad span, from the striking high and ultra-high notes to the firm low register» – Ara.cat

Works by Verdi, Bellini, Rachmaninov, Copland, Massenet and others.

72 | CONCERTS I RECITALS

Symphony Orchestra of theGran Teatre del LiceuDaniel Gil de Tejada conductor

An international competition in which some of the great voices of international opera have taken part.

At the end of the Contest, the Jury's verdict will be announced.

Photo: J'nai Bridges, winner of the 2016 edition of the Contest.


JOYCE DIDONATO & IL POMO D’ORO


Giuseppe VerdiArias, duets and orchestral pieces

Gregory Kunde tenorJuan Jesús Rodríguez baritone

Symphony Orchestra of theGran Teatre del Liceu Manuel Coves conductor


12 SUNDAY 17 h T IX

TODAY'S GREAT TENORSINGS VERDI

In the wake of his successes in Norma and Rossini's Otello, Gregory Kunde will offer us a concert of arias from Verdi operas, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Kunde, considered one of the most elegant of singers, continues to impress audiences with his delicate phrasing, while his impeccable style and acting abilities fit him for the most demanding roles in Italian and French opera.

Photo: Gregory Kunde © Chris Gloag

Il pirata at the Liceu: «Nel furor delle tempeste».

Works by Monteverdi, Purcell, Händel, Leo and Jommelli, and others.

Joyce DiDonato mezzo-soprano

Il Pomo d'OroMaxim Emelyanichev conductor and harpsichordist


4 SUNDAY 18 h A IX

Photo: Joyce DiDonato © Nick Heavican

Joyce DiDonato and Il Pomo d’Oro performing «Lascia ch’io pianga».

PURE BAROQUE ENERGY IN TIME OF WAR

Joyce DiDonato loves Barcelona and her moving voice tells us so each time she comes to the Liceu. In her new show she gives a powerful rendering of Baroque arias that explore the dichotomy between discord and harmony in time of war.

The excellent ensemble of period instruments, Il Pomo d’Oro, will accompany her in this outstanding concert, treating us to a blend of stylistic mastery, superb technique, and artistic enthusiasm.

CONCERT GREGORY KUNDEJUAN JESÚS RODRÍGUEZ


TCHAIKOVKY SERIES:PIANO

Khatia Buniatishvili piano

Symphony Orchestra of theGran Teatre del LiceuJosep Pons conductor


25 THURSDAY 20 h G VIII

KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI, BEAUTY AND VIRTUOSITY

The First Piano Concerto is a prime example of musical Romanticism. It is remarkable for its high drama and the skilful dialogue between the solo instrument and the orchestra, which does not merely accompany the piano but shares the leading role.

The 5th Symphony was written after a troubled period in the composer's life. The orchestration is brilliant, while from very the start of the work a Leitmotiv embodies the idea of inexorable destiny, which was already present in the 4th Symphony.

Second movement of Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony.


Pyotr I. TchaikovskyPiano concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64

Pyotr I. TchaikovskyViolin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36

Chad Hoopes violin

Symphony Orchestra of theGran Teatre del LiceuJosep Pons conductor


1 THURSDAY 20 h B VIII

CHAD HOOPES, YOUTH AND TALENT

The D-major Violin Concerto conjures up a typically Slavonic atmosphere of melancholy, which alternates with extroverted rhythmic episodes. This is a major title in the international repertory.

The central idea of the 4th Symphony is destiny, that relentless leading-thread of all life which rudely awakens man from his dreams. There are moments of joy and wistfulness too, but predestination invariably predominates.

Last movement of Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony.

TCHAIKOVKY SERIES:VIOLIN

Photo: Khatia Buniatishvili Photo: Chad Hoopes © Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

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