Verne, Offenbach, and Dr. Ox by Julie Beradino
/ November 1, 2011
Version française...
Flash version here.
 During its creation
in 1877, the three-act opera buffa Doctor Ox became the victim
of a public outcry. The Arbel-Offenbach affair attacked composer Jacques
Offenbach at a time when many a French sensibility was offended by Offenbach’s
Jewish German origins. The work is nevertheless packed with music that
is among his most original and is as merry and lighthearted as La
Belle Hélène or La Vie parisienne. The libretto, written
by Arnold Mortier and Philippe Gille, was inspired by an atypical short
story by Jules Verne. Though Verne remains the most widely translated
French author in the world, the magical world that he created here is
most obscure. The opera buffa, which explores the ethical implications
of scientific experimentation, was long neglected and saw but rare productions,
including one at the Athénée of Paris in 2003 and one in Switzerland
in 2008, in addition to a few adaptations.
Fortunately, Quebec’s
Opéra Bouffe will pluck this incredible gem of poetry from the black
hole of obscurity and present it to audiences at the Maison des Arts
de Laval this November, which will be its Canadian premiere. It is worth
noting that Opéra Bouffe, which was a finalist for the city of Laval’s
2008 Prix du Conseil de la Culture, is known for its daring. Now in
its 25th year, they have produced two operettas each year
since 2006 with costumes, decor, and professional orchestral musicians—not
to mention young and talented emerging artists who make up the cast.
Artistic director Simon Fournier is a veritable jack-of-all-trades:
veteran singer, performer, choir conductor and teacher, he devotes as
much time to early music as he does to contemporary. Celebrated director
Sébastien Dhavernas also demonstrates a range of talents and has more
than 30 productions to his credit.
The sensational story
of Doctor Ox takes place in a small and sophisticated Flanders
town known as Quiquendone, a sleepy town where the slightest brisk move
gives the inhabitants a migraine and where the van Tricasse family has
ruled for generations. It appears that, because of a geographical technicality,
the town cannot be found on any map. The plot involves romantic comings
and goings, bohemian adventures, and the so-called oxyhydric gas with
which the enigmatic Danish scientist, Doctor Ox, and his assistant Ygène
promise to light the town... causing a most profound change in the characters
of the townspeople. Come to the Maison des Arts de Laval to discover
the mad scientist’s fate—and what surprises the artists have in
store!
Translation:
Rebecca Anne Clark
Théâtre des muses,
November 11, 12, 18, and 19 at 8 p.m. and November 13 and 20 at 3 p.m.
www.operabouffe.org
Version française... |
|
