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Writer Maurice Maeterlinck published his play Pelléas et Mélisande in 1892, about two half-brothers who develop feelings for the same enigmatic woman. The fairy-tale-like story, which stirs the imagination yet never fully yields its secrets, inspired composer Claude Debussy to create an innovative composition that continues to captivate audiences to this day. At its heart, the opera Pelléas et Mélisande (1902) focuses on two rival brothers, a woman, their desires and—naturally—the tragic ending that both unites them and tears them apart.
The musical direction is in the hands of the young multi-talented Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg, who also performs one of the piano parts. Joe Hill-Gibbins, known for his austere and physical theatrical style, directs the singers in this mysterious musical narrative. The National Opera Studio is a two-year programme in which young singers and coaches are prepared for an international opera career, led by the renowned soprano Rosemary Joshua.
Impressions de Pelléas is a co-production by Opera Zuid, De Nationale Opera and the Nederlandse Reisopera, and as such forms part of the collaboration between the three opera companies aimed at fostering talent development.
Impressions de Pelléas lasts 95 minutes without an interval and is sung in French, with Dutch surtitles.
