European Opera Houses Adapt with Digital Performances Amid Pandemic

Despite lockdowns, opera houses in Zurich and Madrid have maintained performances through innovative digital solutions. Zurich's Opernhaus, closed until January, staged a single performance of Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' with only 50 live spectators, but streamed via Arte (replay until Jan 5, 2021). Director Andreas Homoki transposed the medieval conflict to a post-WWI setting, with singers performing alone on stage while the orchestra and choir played live from a rehearsal room a kilometer away. Madrid's Teatro Real, allowed 66% capacity, presented Dvořák's 'Rusalka' (replay until Feb 25 on medici.tv), directed by Christof Loy, who reimagined the fairy tale as a dark Eastern European romance about a ballerina injured and torn between dance and love. Conductor Ivor Bolton led soprano Asmik Grigorian, who delivered a devastating performance. In Paris, the pandemic led to discoveries: choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche, whose viral video 'On danse chez vous' gained 1.5 million views, was commissioned by Aurélie Dupont, director of dance at the Opéra de Paris, to create 'Et si…', performed live on Facebook on Nov 13 for 4.49 euros. Kerkouche also reprised 'Dabkeh' for the Institut du monde arabe's 'Nuits de la poésie' on Dec 5 and 12. The Opéra de Paris launched a new VOD platform, chezsoi.operadeparis.fr.