Rossini - Il Viaggio a Reims

Alain Maratrat's highly original and clever production of Il Viaggio a Reims, developed over several seasons by the Théâtre du Châtelet and the Mariinsky Theatre, took both theatres by storm. A radiant Valery Gergiev whips up a cast of brilliant young singers from the Academy of the Mariinsky Theatre to unbelievable heights in a colourful, witty rendering that reinvigorates Rossini's last Italian opera. Captured in High Definition video and true surround sound, the detail of this vigorous celebration of music and singing almost bursts from the screen, as fresh as it was when premiered in Paris in 1825. Press Reviews "A bubbly, spiritual spectacle…" (Le Figaro) "The depth of talent that the Mariinsky Academy and Gergiev have formed is impressive. Many major opera houses would hesitate before programming a Rossini opera that demands so many expert Rossinians. The academy miraculously managed to double cast the work." (Opera News) "In a co-production with the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the singing team and orchestra from the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg offer a sparkling account of Rossini's festival opera under their director, Valery Gergiev...Maratrat's production updates the action to the 1930s, with the men in the cast wearing trilbies. That includes Gergiev himself, who conducts his orchestra on stage. With such a well-coordinated team it is hard to pick out individual stars among the young singers, but Vladislav Ouspenski as Baron von Trombonon, Anastasi Belyaeva as Madame Cortese, Daniil Shtoda as Count Libenskof and Edouard Tsanga as Lord Sindey all give memorable performances." (The Penguin Guide) "The director Alain Maratrat transforms the flimsy story - of upper-crust travellers stranded together on their way to the coronation of Charles X - into sparkling entertainment...Gergiev presides with style and good humour." (BBC Music Magazine) " Gergiev presides with style and good humour." (Gramophone) Cast Anastasia Belyaeva (Madame Cortese) Vladislav Ouspenski (Baron von Trombonok) Larissa Youdina (Contessa di Folleville) Daniil Shtoda (Count Libenskof) Anna Kiknadze (Marchesa Melibea) Alexeï Safiouline (Don Alvaro) St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra; Valery Gergiev ProductionCompany: Théâtre du Châtelet, ParisStage Director: Alain Maratrat Disc InformationCatalogue Number: OA0967DDate of Performance: 2005Running Time: 135 m