More ballet (opera too) in the comfort of your own home, now from the Opernhaus Zürich and Ballett Zürich.
Between March 27 and June 1, 2020, the Opernhaus is offering recordings of opera and ballet performances online, free of charge. Streaming will be available from Fridays at 6 pm (Zürich; 5pm London) to Sunday at midnight (11pm London) with exceptions on holidays like Easter and Whitsun). Details can be found at www.opernhaus.ch/streaming.
The first ballet comes on April 5 with Messa da Requiem, Christian Spuck’s unusual interpretation of Verdi’s mass for the dead. This large-scale co-production between opera and ballet – which features 36 dancers, the Chor der Oper Zürich and additional choristers, as well as four world-class soloists, all under the direction of Fabio Luisi – is dedicated to one of the most fundamental themes of humanity to celebrate the Easter holidays.
That’s followed from April 24 by Spuck’s choreography of the ballet classic Nussknacker und Mausekönig.
The recording of the Spuck’s production of Romeo and Juliet will celebrate its broadcast premiere on May 8. Inspired by the pictorial music of Prokofiev, the choreographer brings Shakespeare’s timeless story to life in his own inimitable style.
All recordings are co-produced by the Opernhaus Zürich and Accentus Music.
Further information can be found at www.opernhaus.ch/streaming
Full schedule including opera
(all from 5pm on first day to – 11pm on last day):
Friday March 27 – Sunday March 29
Opera – Das Land des Lächelns by Franz Lehár
Featuring: Piotr Beczala and Julia Kleiter, Chor der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live June 2017)
Sunday April 5 – Saturday April 11
Ballet/Opera – Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi
Choreography: Christian Spuck
Featuring: Ballett Zürich, Krassimira Stoyanova, Veronica Simeoni, Francesco Meli, Georg Zeppenfeld, Chor and Zusatzchor der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live December 2016)
Friday April 17 – Sunday April 19
Opera – I Capuleti e i Montecchi by Vincenzo Bellini
Featuring: Joyce DiDonato, Olga Kulchynska, Benjamin Bernheim, Chor der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live June 2015)
Friday April 24 – Sunday April 26
Ballet – Nussknacker und Mausekönig
Choreography: Christian Spuck
Featuring: Ballett Zürich, Junior Ballett, Kinderchor & SoprAlti des Opernhauses Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live April 2018)
Friday May 1 – Sunday May 3
Opera – Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi
Featuring: Michael Volle, Anna Smirnova, Georg Zeppenfeld, Benjamin Bernheim, Chor and Zusatzchor der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live June 2019)
Friday May 8 – Sunday May 10
Ballet – Romeo and Juliet
Choreography: Christian Spuck
Featuring: Ballett and Junior Ballett Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live June 2019)
Friday May 15 – Sunday May 17
Opera – Wozzeck by Alban Berg
Featuring: Christian Gerhaher, Gun-Brit Barkmin, Brandon Jovanovich, Chor der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live September 2015)
Thursday May 21 – Sunday May 24
Opera – Werther by Jules MassenetFeaturing: Juan Diego Flórez, Anna Stéphany, Mélissa Petit, Chor und Kinderchor der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live April 2017)
Saturday May 30 – Monday June 1
Opera – Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
Featuring: Saimir Pirgu, George Petean, Aleksandra Kurzak, Andrea Mastroni, Chor der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zürich
(Recorded live June 2014)