Based on the story of a rebellion in Sicily in 1282 against the rule of the Angevin king Charles I of Naples, who took control of the island in 1266, I Vespri Siciliani is one of Verdi's bloodiest operas.
"It is often the case that the conceptual framework over which we pull an opera does not fit the work. But I look at the work as a conception," von Stegmann said at an event for the press before the premiere. He added that the opera was not at all easy from a director's point of view because the dramaturgy of the piece was not entirely formed.
Even today, the fate of the individual is the most interesting part of any political conflict, and that is what the focus of the four main roles in the piece is, von Stegmann said.
Conductor János Kovács said the four extraordinary singers were performing in the four main roles of the opera. He gave a special acknowledgement to Anatoliy Fokanov, who learned the role of Guido di Monfote in just a month, filling in on short notice for a singer who bowed out late in the rehearsal schedule.
Fokanov welcomed the challenge, noting that it would be his thirteenth role in a Verdi opera.
Attila Fekete, who will sing the part of Arrigo, likened the opera to a fine, perfectly seasoned goulash soup, served up in a bigger than usual portions with nice chewy chunks.
Author: Éva Kelemen / Photo: Dániel Kováts
