The 19 May 2021 episode of the OperaWednesday series awaited online audiences with a piece from The Muse of France Season and a special guest star. The most beautiful excerpts of Debussy's sole opera, Pelléas et Mélisande were accompanied on the piano by internationally renowned conductor Frédéric Chaslin. The performance was streamed from 8:00 p.m. on Facebook and Origo.hu.
The libretto of the opera is based on the symbolist play of the same title by the later Nobel Prize-winning dramatist Maurice Maeterlinck, to which the composer made only a few minor changes. The plot might remind some viewers of Tristan and Isolde, as it also involves an older man standing in the way of two young lovers whose passion for each other costs them their lives. This piece nearly devoid of actual stage action unfolds in the borderlands between dreams and reality, which is exactly what piqued Debussy’s interest.
The concert highlights were performed by soloists Polina Pasztircsák, Zsolt Haja, István Kovács, Péter Fried, Sándor Köpeczi and Anna Karácsonyi with Frédéric Chaslin on the piano. The performance staged by Mária Harangi was narrated by Dániel Mona.
Partner: Institut Français Budapest
The performance can be viewed HERE.
Photo by Valter Berecz