
Ludovic Tézier © Patricia Dietzi Gstaad New Year Music Festival
Verdi Macbeth
Olavinlinna Castle - Savonlinna
Olavinlinna Castle - 57130 Savonlinna Finlande
Olavinlinna Castle
Synopsis
Macbeth
Macbeth represented an important stage in Verdi's career, fascinated as he was by Shakespeare's plays. Bel canto rarely reaches the dramatic intensity of the duet between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
With Macbeth, Verdi took on a work by Shakespeare for the first time.
The opera's libretto adheres closely to the text of the eponymous tragedy on which it is based. The work was first performed in Florence in 1847. Its second version, which is most often performed today, was rewritten to meet the canons of French opera, including an obligatory ballet passage. It premiered in Paris in 1865, in French.
In the middle of the Scottish Highlands in the 11th century, Macbeth, cousin of King Duncan, and Banquo, Macbeth's friend, meet a coven of witches who tell Macbeth he is about to take the throne. Under the influence of his wife, Macbeth plots to assassinate the king.
