Teatro Real: Igor Stravinsky: Perséphone

Iolanta and Perséphone – A double bill consisting of two stage works that “represent an ideal of beauty, poetry and hope” forms this new production in Madrid from the Teatro Real. In both works the progression from darkness to light acts as an initiation rite that completely transforms the existential attitude of the leading characters. Perséphone has only one singer, the priest Eumolpus, who functions largely as a narrator. The orchestral writing is melodious, with a solo woodwind or brass instrument often presenting an arresting, even jaunty theme over a simple rhythmic accompaniment.

Dominique Blanc, Perséphone; Paul Groves, Eumolpus

Peter Sellars, stage director; Andrés Máspero, chorus master; Teodor Currentzis, musical director; George Tsypin, set; Martin Pakledinaz, costumes; James F. Ingalls, lighting

Choir and Orchestra Titulares del Teatro Real