We're Totes ecstatic for two versions of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Die Tote Stadt, which aside from the prevalent darkness, coulnd't be any more different.
First up is Teatro La Fenice's version, conducted by Eliahu Inbal and directed by Pier Luigi Pizzi (PLP created costumes and sets too). The show opened on Friday night, and was the first time Korngold's work was seen at La Fenice since its world premiere in 1920 in Germany. Inbal created parallel spaces on stage with mirrors, reflecting a fairytale-like narrative couched in a twisted, dark world.
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In contrast we have the Royal Opera House's version, opening on Tuesday, which also boasts more star power. Director Willy Decker stuffs his full of religious commentary and gives poor Marietta a bald head (but Nadja Michael, who's already been Salome in David McVicar's slaughterhouse of a ROH production can work that latex cap like no one else can). Here she's been teamed with Gerald Finley as Fritz.
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