A Wozzeck of anthology
Pierre Gervasoni, Le Monde
Perfectly accomplished and coherent, close to the original Woyzeck, Richard Brunel’s work manages to captivate while never contradicting the libretto – despite a certain degree of narrative inventiveness.
Erwan Gentric, Diapason
Thanks to the solidity of the dramaturgy, the direction of the actors and the interpretation of the singers, who form a remarkable vocal ensemble, everything holds together very skilfully in this new and pertinent dystopian reading of the opera in which Wozzeck is dispossessed of himself.
Christophe Candoni, Sceneweb
Richard Brunel’s inventive staging, Daniele Rustioni’s masterly direction and a top-class cast, with Stéphane Degout in the title role, magnify this new production of Alban Berg’s work.
Pierre Gervasoni, Le Monde
The richness of the production does justice to the density of both the text and the musical composition. First and foremost is the fluidity and frenetic pace, conveying precipitation and anguish, the acceleration that shakes the senses, both in the movements of the singers and actors and in the musical execution.
Fabrice Malkani, Forum Opera
Like the third act, which revisits the form of invention in each scene (‘Invention on a theme’, ‘Invention on a note’, ‘Invention on a rhythm’…), Richard Brunel’s staging could be described as ‘Invention on a libretto’.
Pierre Gervasoni, Le Monde
Wozzeck at the Lyon Opera, a masterly season opener. It was a complete success, with an imperial Stéphane Degout and a highly effective staging by its director Richard Brunel.
Director Richard Brunel, conducted by the ever-impressive Daniele Rustioni.Jean-François Lattarico, Première Loge Opéra
The staging, meticulously developed by Richard Brunel (who has been directing the Opéra de Lyon since 2019), is based on a highly personal interpretation of the theatrical data (stage directions, dialogue) that never appears to be at odds with the text, even though it often reduces the context to its simplest expression.
Pierre Gervasoni, Le Monde
The direction of the actors is precise and gives each of them a real character, from Wozzeck’s cruel tormentors the doctor and the soldier, to Marie, who is killed and who plays a strong and determined woman.
Cult.news
An empty, grey space. An enormous articulated projector, part surveillance camera, part laboratory lamp. The object, central and obsessive, follows and controls this Wozzeck.This simple, effective set is a fine idea, with the intimate space sometimes divided into two articulated boxes, the kitchen, the bedroom and, incidentally, a bus shelter.
A banal interior, with Formica and a TV screen where children binge-watch cartoons. Equally standardised is the cooking area where Marie offers herself out of boredom and ends up with her throat slit.
It’s simple, effective, and Richard Brunel betrays nothing of the libretto.Concertclassic
Wozzeck
Alban Berg
opera in 3 act and 15 scenes
Libretto by the composer, based on the play “Woyzeck” by Georg Büchner 1925
Music direction Daniele Rustioni
Stage direction Richard Brunel
Set design Etienne Pluss
Costume design Thibault Vancraenenbroeck
Lighting design Laurent Castaingt
Dramaturgy Catherine Ailloud Nicolas
Chorus master Benedict Kearns
Vocal Coach Kirsten Schoetteldreier
Music direction assistant Etienne Lemieux-Desprès
Stage direction assistant Elena Morar
Set design assistant Leonora Rodigari
Costume design assistant Nathalie Pallandre
Production Opéra de Lyon – Royal Swedish Opera
Cast
Stéphane Degout
Ambur Braid
Thomas Ebenstein
Thomas Faulkner
Robert Watson
Robert Lewis
Jenny-Anne Flory
Alexander de Jong
Hugo Santos
Filip Varik
Didier Roussel
Ivan Declinand
Jeanne Bouchonnet
Lyon Opera Orchestra and Chorus
At the Royal Swedish Opera
Musical direction Alan Gilbert et John Fiore
Stage direction assistant Anna Tomson et Elena Morar
Cast
Stéphane Degout, Birger Radde, Malin Byström, Niklas Björling Rygert, John Erik Eleby, Klas Hedlund, Jonas Degerfelt, Katarina Leoson, Lennart Forsén, Andreas Lundmark, Andrius Bartkus, Wei Nan, Casper Lindroth, Melker Roswald.
Royal Swedish Orchestra and Royal Swedish Opera Chorus