When Worlds Collide: La voix humaine meets Dido & Aeneas
Festival Opera innovates a powerful through line for women in an exciting new production
(New York, NY) - We recently had the pleasure of experiencing Festival Opera’s artist showcase at the Point Richmond, CA home of General Director Zachary Gordin. The occasion was for East Bay-based for Festival Opera’s new production of “La voix humaine” and “Dido & Aeneas” at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center on July 12th and 14th; these operas will be paired in a one-of-a-kind way. From FestivalOpera.org: “A double-bill of short operas written 270 years apart, yet similar in themes of love and betrayal. Both Elle and Dido suffer the devastating consequences of heartbreak. Their stories resonate across time, bringing the audience in-close as they share these deeply human experiences.” Susie Hanson, Festival Opera Board of Directors, noted that these operas are linked by the common theme of women making powerful decisions for themselves. We asked Zachary and various cast members of this remarkable production to share thoughts on how the pairing of this pieces resonates for them and for women overall. JBM for OI
From Céline Ricci, Director:
I am thrilled to direct two significant works where women are central characters, embodying complexity and depth beyond superficial portrayals. Both Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and Poulenc's La voix humaine offer rich, multifaceted female protagonists whose journeys culminate not simply in reaction to male characters, but as a profound result of their life arcs and personal experiences.
In Dido and Aeneas, Dido’s story is not merely about her love for Aeneas but about her role as a leader and the weight of her responsibilities. Her eventual demise is a tragic end brought on by the compounded pressures of love, duty, and destiny, showcasing her strength and vulnerability. It’s a portrayal that invites the audience to empathize with her as a powerful, yet profoundly human, figure navigating her path.
Similarly, in La voix humaine, the woman’s struggle is not just about the loss of a lover, but about the intense isolation and emotional turmoil she faces in the modern world. Her monologue through the phone reveals layers of her psyche, her resilience, and her ultimate fragility. It’s a testament to the strength required to confront one’s deepest emotions and the profound impact of loneliness.
As a female director, it is immensely rewarding to explore these nuanced characters and present them as the strong, complex individuals they are. They do not succumb simply because of a man; their choices and ultimate fates are shaped by a lifetime of experiences, societal expectations, and internal conflicts. This perspective allows for a richer, more empathetic portrayal that honors their full humanity, and I am excited to bring this depth to the stage, challenging audiences to see beyond traditional, superficial narratives.
Both operas delve into themes of love, loss, and despair through intense emotional narratives. While they differ significantly in their historical context, musical style, and structure, both operas effectively convey the deep psychological and emotional experiences of their central characters. Also, the central characters experience profound isolation and a sense of abandonment. Dido faces abandonment and isolation from the beginning of the opera, even before Aeneas’ arrival, while in voix, the woman confronts the end of her relationship during a solitary phone call.
While Dido & Aeneas is not a monodrama, much of the emotional weight is carried by Dido’s character, similar to how the solo performance of the woman in La voix humaine carries the entire emotional arc of the opera. Both works conclude with tragic endings driven by the central characters' emotional turmoil. Dido's lament culminates in her suicide, and Poulenc’ woman is left in a state of emotional collapse, with implications of potential self-harm.
From Zachary Gordin, General Director
The importance of these two operas, La voix humane/Dido & Aeneas cannot be understated - both musically and dramatically. Though they span a time period of 270 years in their composition, the gripping drama and gorgeous music they both embody give our audiences something meaningful and deeply connected to experience. In my mind, Elle (La voix) has a dream, a dream of love and connection which doesn’t come to fruition. As she goes through the process of hoping and pressing her nameless lover to return she slips away into the dream of Dido & Aeneas. In Dido we see another potential love match gone awry. Aeneas begins as the quintessential hero, both in form and in attitude, but a mighty Sorceress and her coven have other plans for the royal couple. As Elle dreams, her own experience is underscored in Dido’s loss and eventual lament. I’m thrilled to bring this production to our audience and will relish with great pride the musical and dramatic excellence this cast/chorus/orchestra will lend to the work. Conducting Dido from the harpsichord will be a treat for me, returning to my baroque roots on a harpsichord I rebuilt specifically for this production.
From Kindra Scharich, soprano:
Portraying the iconic character of Dido in Purcell’s "Dido and Aeneas" is a deeply introspective journey. Dido, the Queen of Carthage, embodies strength, vulnerability, and unwavering passion. As she navigates the tumultuous waters of love and betrayal, her character experiences profound emotional highs and devastating lows. Through Dido, we delve into the depths of human emotion, exploring the complexities of desire, duty, and ultimately, acquiescence. In Festival Opera’s captivating production, I am honored to share the stage with a cast of supremely talented artists, all under the artistic directorship of Zachary Gordin and creative vision of director Céline Ricci. Each of these artists brings their own unique voice to this cherished operatic masterpiece.
FESTIVAL OPERA
presents a double-bill of “la voix humaine” by Francis Poulenc (1958) with “Dido and Aeneas” by Henry Purcell (1688).
✨TICKETS & INFO HERE✨
Friday, July 12, 2024 - 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 14, 2024 - 2:00 PM
Hofmann Theatre - Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA.
FOR PRESS INQUIRIES, READ THE LA VOIX HUMAINE / DIDO & AENEAS PRESS RELEASE
La voix humaine
Elle: Carrie Hennessey
Conductor & Pianist: Robert Mollicone
Director: Celine Ricci
Performed in French with English supertitles
Running time: approximately 40 minutes
Dido & Aeneas
Dido: Kindra Scharich
Belinda: Lila Khazoum
Attendant: Lily Bogas
Aeneas: Matthew Lovell
Sorceress: Sara Couden
First Witch: Courtney Miller
Second Witch/Spirit: Reuben Zellman
Sailor: Taylor Thompson
Conductor & Harpsichord: Zachary Gordin
Director: Céline Ricci
With the Festival Opera Orchestra & Chorus
and members of Diablo Ballet
Performed in English with English supertitles
Running time: approximately 1 hour