The name Ottorino Respighi probably brings to mind his three “Roman” pieces: Fountains of… (1916), Pines of… (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928). His nine operas are often overlooked, but on this week’s Sunday Opera (2/23 3:00 p.m.), we’re turning to one of his lush “late-Romantic” pieces that was completed in 1914 but not premiered until 2004 because of the intervention of the First World War. The work is “Marie Victoire” and follows the life of title character who narrowly escapes execution during the French Revolution only to have to fight for the life of her falsely accused husband.
Marie (Takesha Meshe Kizart) happily shares a castle with her husband Maurice (Markus Bruck), but it’s the first year of the Revolution and a friend named Cloriviere (German Villar) arrives with urgent news that they are in danger and both Marie and Cloriviere are arrested.
During their incarceration awaiting their trial, Marie and Cloriviere often remember times from their past when he declared his love for her. Their jailor, a former servant of Marie named Cloteau (Stephen Bronk), arrives to tell them that they’ve been sentenced to death, but shortly after that, news that Robespierre has died arrives, and all of the prisoners are suddenly freed. In the resulting mayhem, Cloriviere rapes Marie.
Five years pass. Marie has been taken in by Cloteau after Cloriviere abandoned her. She is raising their son, Georges, who is five. Maurice, who has just returned from American where he fled, arrives at Marie’s room at the same time Cloriviere does. Cloriviere has unsuccessfully attempted to kill Napoleon and has stopped in to see his son for one last time and escapes just before the police arrive. Maurice sees this and believes that Marie has “moved on,” but before Marie can explain, Maurice is mistaken for Cloriviere and arrested. Thinking Marie doesn’t love him any longer, he allows himself to be taken away to the sure execution that awaits.
Will Marie be able to save Maurice?
Will Cloriviere escape, or will he do the honorable thing?
Will Maurice come to his senses?
…And what about Georges?
You’ll have to tune in this Sunday to find out!
Other members of this large cast from a live performance from 2009 include Jorn Schumann, Simon Pauley, Martina Weischenbach, Gregory Warren, Nicole Piccolomini Ta Yosep Kang, and Anna Schoeck. Michael Jurowski conducts the German Opera Berlin Chorus and Orchestra.
We’re very happy to bring you another piece that you don’t hear often for the remaining time that we have with you. Also completed in1914, we’ll hear Respighi’s large and impressive works called “spectacular” by many, his Sinfonia Drammatica. The energetic performance we have today is performed by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Daniel Nazareth.
