Adriana Lecouvreur - Schedule, Program & Tickets

Adriana Lecouvreur

conductor
Omer Meir Wellber
Director
David McVicar
stage
Charles Edwards
Costumes
Brigitte Reiffenstuel
light
Adam Silverman
choreography
Andrew George
Maurizio, Conte di Sassonia
Brian Hunt
Michonnet
Nicola Alaimo
Adriana Lecouvreur
Ermonela Jaho
La Principessa di Bouillon
Elīna Garanča

CONTENT
Adriana Lecouvreur, Francesco Cila's fourth and most famous opera, tells of the last love affair and the death of the French actress Adrienne Lecouvreur. She lived from 1692 to 1730 and was one of the best and most prominent actresses of her time. She had a long-term liaison with the no less well-known general Moritz von Sachsen; the rumor that the Duchess of Bouillon, who was also in love with Moritz, was killing her, occupied all of Paris. The rumor that Adrienne was poisoned by her persisted and inspired numerous artists to work, including Eugne Scribe for a play. Francesco Cila and his librettist Arturo Colautti took this as the basis for their joint opera Adriana Lecouvreur, which premiered in Milan in 1902. Cilea revised the work several times, most recently in 1930. The opera is often associated with the verismo trend, but is not a purely veristic work. Even more: »Cila's music is not definitely 'Italian' either. You can feel the light of the Mediterranean, but at the same time something else, the ›French‹ for example, ”said the conductor of the premiere at the Vienna State Opera, Evelino Pidò, in 2014.

1st act
Behind the stage at the Comédie Francaise, actors and stage manager Michonnet prepare for a performance. Among them the famous actress Adriana Lecouvreur, who is loved by Michonnet. She in turn loves Moritz von Sachsen, who, however, has hidden his true identity from her and only pretends to be an ensign. Adriana gives him a bouquet of violets as a pledge of love. Moritz of Saxony also had a relationship with the Princess of Bouillon; her husband, in turn, has an affair with the actress Duclos.
When the Prince of Bouillon intercepts a letter from Duclos to Moritz by inviting him to her villa that night, the Prince suspects the actress as being unfaithful. In truth, however, she had written the letter on behalf of the princess to protect her. In order to take revenge and expose them, the prince invites the actors of the Comédie francaise to a party in the Duclos villa.

2nd act
In the Duclos villa, the Princess of Bouillon awaits Moritz, who has expected political support from her. She realizes that he doesn't love her, but to calm her jealousy, he gives her the bouquet of violets. The two are interrupted by the arrival of the prince, the princess manages to escape into a back room. Adriana joins them - and Moritz's true identity is revealed. In the dark back room, the two competitors meet for the first time without recognizing the other. The princess finally manages to escape unrecognized.

3rd act
At a party, the princess guesses that Adriana is the lover of Count Moritz von Sachsen. There is a covert conflict between the two women - both are tormented by jealousy. Adriana finally recites from Racine's Phaedra and exposes her with a few verses related to the princess:

“I can't pretend like them
naughty women who enjoy cheating,
whose icy forehead can never blush anymore. "

4th act
Adriana, sick with love, wants to withdraw from the stage. She feels abandoned by Moritz; a feeling that is intensified when a box is handed in that contains the now withered bouquet of violets. But then her lover arrives and asks her to become his wife. Adriana suddenly collapses - the bouquet of violets, actually sent by the princess, was poisoned. Adriana dies.

Subject to changes.

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