THE DUKE OF ALVA Returns To Flanders

One of the highlights of the 2011/2012 season was the world premiere of the original French version of Gaetano Donizetti's Le Duc D'Albe. Opera Vlaanderen asked the contemporary composer Giorgio Battistelli to complete the score and the result was a fascinating dialogue between the 19th-century idiom and contemporary musical language. Indeed, it was as if Donizetti had simply stepped into our century.

This tour de force was praised (inter)nationally. De Standaard newspaper noted, 'His mixture of neo-styles does not seek confrontation, but enters into a respectful dialogue with Donizetti's musical blockbuster. Battistelli sets to work slowly but surely'.
According to De Tijd, 'Instead of giving us indigestion, the completed opera is a rich and varied performance'.

Deutschland Radio pronounced it 'A surprisingly new, modern image of Donizetti' and The New York Times described the production as 'rewarding.'

A live recording of this opera was released on the Dynamic label.

Now Opera Vlaanderen will be presenting a revival of this spectacular 2012 production, directed by Carlos Wagner and with flamboyant costumes designed by the Belgian fashion house A.F. Vandevorst. For those who did not see it the first time round, this is a unique opportunity to discover the work.

Following his popular rendition of Rinaldo in Armida (2015-2016), the Sicilian bel canto tenor Enea Scala will be returning in the role of the ill-fated hero Henri de Bruges. The promising young Polish soprano Ania Jeruc is making her debut with us in the role of Hélène d'Egmont. The young Turkish baritone Kartal Karagedik brings Le Duc to life.

Under the Russian conductor Andriy Yurkevych, who always regularly accompanies the bel canto star Edita Gruberova on the piano, the music is in perfect hands.

Info Le Duc D'Albe

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) / Giorgio Battistelli (°1953)

Opera in four acts. Original French version completed by Giorgio Battistelli

Libretto by Eugène Scribe and Charles Duveyrier
Creation Antwerp, 2012
Revival production Opera Vlaanderen, 2012

Musical Director Andriy Yurkevych
Director Carlos Wagner
Sets Alfons Flores
Costumes A.F. Vandevorst
Lighting Fabrice Kebour
Chorus master Jan Schweiger

Hélène d'Egmont Ania Jeruc
Henri de Bruges Enea Scala
Le Duc d'Albe Kartal Karagedik
Sandoval David Shipley
Daniel Markus Suihkonen
Carlos / Balbuena Denzil Delaere
Un Tavernier Stephan Adriaens