Verdi's 'Macbeth', opens the new season at the Royal Opera House Muscat ( ROHM) with a riveting performance

Any performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat( ROHM) is always superb but the one we saw last evening Sat, (20/9) will remain etched in our minds forever.  The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM)  opened its 2014-2015 season with a stunning production of Verdi's opera Macbeth, based on Shakespeare's play of the same name.The four-act opera, Giuseppe Verdi's 10th, which originally premiered in 1847 is  based on a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and Andrea Maffei, and inspired by Shakespeare's play. 

This production  of Macbeth directed by Henning Brockhaus, is performed by the Teatro Verdi Trieste in collaboration with the Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini, Jesi and Fondazione Teatro Carlo Felice from Genoa in Italy. Conducted by the renowned Donato Renzetti, it stars Michael Chioldi, Csilla Boross and Giorgio Giuseppini, in key roles.

A scene from Verdi's Macbeth

(Pic Courtesy ROHM Website)

The story in in a nutshell-After several witches prophesy that Macbeth will become king, he and his wife, Lady Macbeth, go on a blood thirsty  mission to fulfill his destiny. Fate, however, is stronger than his determination, and ultimately this very ambition and thirst for power become his downfall.

The opera itself is riveting. It's a concentrated version of Shakespeare's Macbeth with good music and packed with blood, murder, and a superb ending. Add to it the superb sets and quality of production and this particular Opera easily ranks  among the best I've ever seen.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are usually portrayed as two of the most evil characters in theatre and opera, but in this Teatro Verdi Trieste production of Verdi's Macbeth, the singers get to explore many sides to this dark couple and their performances are at times jaw dropping and at others, hair rising, in the literal sense.

The stunning interiors of the ROHM

Traditionally, Macbeth is a weak character, easily influenced by others, especially his wife, who easily manipulates him.  Lady Macbeth, who also has blood on her hands, is usually portrayed as the more powerful character, but in Brockhaus's interpretation, there is more equilibrium between the two. In this version, it is clear that hat there are two sides to Lady Macbeth, so that she isn't just a vicious, dark and powerful woman. She has a softer, maternal side, too and suffers from the recent loss of a child. The pursuit of power with Macbeth replaces the lost child, thereby renewing the excitement and passion in their marriage.

Memories are truly made of evenings like these

The opera moves relentlessly towards a stunning climax and at the end of it, the performers got a well deserved standing ovation. 

With such a spectacular start to the ROHM'S Season 2014-2015 , here's looking forward to some more power packed performances!