“Samuel Boden’s contribution was delightfully perky.”
Planet Hugill – 28 September 2023
Tag Archives: Opera
L’Orfeo – Monteverdi – Nederlandse Reisopera
“The story of Orpheus in the underworld is about us all. We all have something of Orpheus in us. Who would not want to turn back the clock every now and then and stick to the happiness of the past? That is why the Orpheus story has always inspired artists of all times.
For this staging, director Monique Wagemakers, choreographer Nanine Linning, designer Lonneke Gordijn from Studio Drift and fashion designer Marlou Breuls created L’ORFEO for the Nederlandse Reisopera. Their vision is that of a Gesamtkunstwerk; stage direction, choreography, sculpture, costume and music are completely merged together.
Nanine Linning and Monique Wagemakers forged the ten singers and ten dancers into one homogeneous group that is permanently on stage. Together with the moving installation “Ego” by artist Lonneke Gordijn (Studio DRIFT) they form a living organism and ever-changing stage image in dialogue with the fantastic music of Claudio Monteverdi.
The tight-fitting mesh costumes by designer Marlou Breuls form a line play with the projections and with the light design by Thomas Hase. The musical direction is in the hands of conductor Hernán Schvartzman (OPERA2DAY) and the opera is accompanied by baroque ensemble La Sfera Armoniosa.”
Monteverdi: L’Orfeo – Nederlandse Reisopera
“Tenor Boden vigorously expresses his human recklessness.”
Theaterkrant, 26th January 2020
“Tenor Samuel Boden is an intimate, convincing Orfeo…★★★★”
NRC.nl, 26th January 2020
“The demanding title role was excellently played by tenor Samuel Boden. Assisted by Ego, he managed to put his changing moods in the spotlight. Beautifully sung, well acted.”
Place de l’Opera, 27th January 2020
“The tenor Samuel Boden has a well-kept dictation and effortlessly sings the sometimes difficult twists that Monteverdi puts into his mouth. – Even when the choir lifts [him] up and carries [him] across the stage.”
Cultureelpers Bureau, 27th January 2020
“Samuel Boden (Orfeo) makes a big impression”
Trouw, 27th January 2020
“With his flexible tenor and athletic posture, Samuel Boden proved a perfect fit for the role of Orfeo, offering unfailingly stylish singing in the midst of the demanding choreographed moves. His honeyed timbre and the way he audibly relished the text made the plaintive lyricism of the role most moving…★★★★★”
Bachtrack, 11th February 2020
★★★★
de Volkskrant, 27th January 2020
From ROH: ‘Written on Skin’ / ‘Lessons in Love and Violence’ – two operatic masterpieces, written by an award winning team
“Take home these two operatic masterpieces, written by an award winning team: George Benjamin (music and conductor), Martin Crimp (text), and Katie Mitchell (director).
Written on Skin – A ‘magic and irresistible’ opera, telling the story of a boy asked to create a book to celebrate the life of a powerful Protector.
Lessons in Love and Violence – Inspired by the life of Edward II and Piers Gaveston, this opera explores how personal relationships can have fatal political consequences.”
“Lessons in Love and Violence” nominated for a Grammy Award
George Benjamin’s Lessons in Love and Violence has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Opera Recording.
I would like to congratulate my LILAV colleagues on the nomination and wish them all the best of luck for the results at the Award Ceremony next week (Monday 27th January)!
Final Preparations for Reisopera’s new production of L’Orfeo
Well it’s been a very demanding and emotional six weeks here in Enschede for the Reisopera’s new production of L’Orfeo – putting all the various elements together for this quite audacious version of Monteverdi’s wonderful opera. Tonight is the dress rehearsal and we open the tour on Saturday, in the Wilmink Theatre. This show is a real labour of love and a totally collaborative project, incorporating contemporary movement (from both singers and dancers alike), an excellent vocal and dance cast, clear vision from Monique Wakemakers and choreographic wizardry from the force of nature that is Nanine Linning. To top it all, a groundbreaking moving art installation above the stage courtesy of Studio Drift, which aims to mirror the emotion of the human soul. There are photos and a mini-doc (below), there have been tears and there will doubtless be relief to get this beast of a show on the road! Huge congrats to all involved, especially my esteemed stage colleagues. It has been immense and we haven’t even started the run yet! The show will apparently be properly be videoed for a closed channel, so watch this space for more information about that…
