An introduction to Andrea Chénier (The Royal Opera)

The cast and creative team of Andrea Chénier including Jonas Kaufmann, Eva-Maria Westbroek and Antonio Pappano introduce Giordano s passionate opera about the French revolution. Find out more at http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/andrea-chenier-by-david-mcvicar The premiere of Andrea Chénier at La Scala, Milan, on 28 March 1896 propelled the young Umberto Giordano to the front rank of the giovane scuola (an up-and-coming group of young Italian composers that included Puccini and Mascagni). The opera exemplifies the verismo style that dominated Italian opera of the period – nowhere more so than in Giordano s skilful interpolation of different musical styles to provide local colour, from the aristocratic Gavotte of Act I to the Marseillaise in Act IV. The libretto by Luigi Illica (Puccini’s collaborator for Manon Lescaut, La bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly) was inspired by the real-life Romantic poet André Chénier, who was guillotined just three days before Robespierre s execution. Andrea Chénier has become celebrated for the lyrical music it offers the tenor who takes the leading role, with the off-the-cuff Improvviso of Act I and his final aria Come un bel dì di maggio particular highlights. But there are thrilling moments for the whole cast, including Maddalena s ardent aria La mamma morta , Gérard’s Nemico della patria!’ and a host of dramatic duets and characterful ensembles. David McVicar (whose productions for The Royal Opera include Le nozze di Figaro, Faust and Die Zauberflöte) directs The Royal Opera s new production, moving from the opulence of pre-Revolutionary France to the horrors of the Reign of Terror.