Die Reise nach Reims
© SLT / Christian Krautzberger

THE JOURNEY TO REIMS – IL VIAGGIO A REIMS

Gioachino Rossini

in Italian with German and English subtitles

Dramma giocoso in one act and two scenes by Luigi Balocchi

Premiere: 21.09.2024 / Landestheater

Synopsis

“One of the oddest and most exhilarating entertainments ever to issue from the pen of an opera composer.” – That’s how Rossini’s biographer Richard Osborne describes the musical fireworks that represent a playful and affectionate overview of the composer’s entire wealth of experience. The plot of the opera is as simple as it is brilliant: A motley crew of eccentric visitors from various European countries are planning to travel to Reims (which was then the centre of power, comparable to Brussels today) but are prevented from arriving at their destination. During their involuntary wait, these highly individual European characters mingle – some eyeing each other warily, some making eyes at each other. Most importantly, however, they make use of every occasion to express their emotions musically by bursting into virtuous song.

Rossini’s last opera in Italian is a masterpiece for an incredible cast of ten leading parts, many supporting parts and choir. Rossini put the skills of his large ensemble to full use, letting the first scene peak in a composition for 14 voices and tailoring his highly virtuous arias and ensembles to the abilities of his singers.

The world premiere in Paris on 19 June 1825 was attended by the King and was received enthusiastically. Rossini (1792– 1868) subsequently withdrew the work and re-used its music for other operas. The opera had long been considered lost, but was rediscovered and performed at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro in 1984, with Claudio Abbado conducting. Since then, it has graced many season programmes.

The Italian director Andrea Bernard from Bolzano will stage Rossini’s comedy at the Salzburg State Theatre. He also presented “Carmen” at the theatre tent and recently dazzled the opera world with a new production of “Don Carlo” in Como. First Kapellmeister Carlo Benedetto Cimento, who has enthralled Salzburg audiences with “Il barbiere di Siviglia” and “Lucio Silla”, will be conducting.