Giordano's Andrea Chénier
Giancarlo del Monaco (stage director), Carlo Rizzi (conductor) — With José Cura (Andrea Chénier), Maria Guleghina (Maddalena di Coigny), Carlo Guelfi (Carlo Gérard)...
Cast
Giancarlo del Monaco — Stage director, costume designer, stage design
Astrid Ascarelli — Choreographer
Wolfgang Von Zoubeck — Lighting
José Cura — Andrea Chénier
Maria Guleghina — Maddalena di Coigny
Carlo Guelfi — Carlo Gérard
Giacinta Nicotra — Bersi
Program notes
Discover Andrea Chénier, a dramatic opera in four acts with a libretto by Luigi Illica, inspired by the life of French writer André Chénier. Born in Constantinople to a French father and a Greek mother, the young poet will, like so many others, find himself embroiled in the dramatic events of the French Revolution. Journalist Chenier, deeply influenced by French Enlightenment thinkers, must confront the reality of existence during the Reign of Terror, struggling to hold on to his principles—and his very life.
Umberto Giordano's opera follows the verismo style in vogue in late 19th-century Italy, a contemporary counterpoint to the naturalism of Emile Zola and Guy de Maupassant across the French border. From Bologna’s magnificent Teatro Comunale, Giancarlo del Monaco’s staging magnifies José Cura’s powerful and poignant performance in the title role, while Carlo Rizzi masterfully conducts the venue’s resident orchestra and chorus in this stirring rendition that also features widely acclaimed soprano Maria Guleghina and tenor Carlo Guelfi.
