On January 18th-21st, Franz Lehár’s classic operetta Die Lustige Witwe will be staged for a second round on the NCPA (National Centre for the Performing Arts) stage. Visited by reporters on the afternoon of January 12th, the vocalists to star in the operetta disclosed some highlights ahead of time.
The operetta Die Lustige Witwe was composed by Hungarian composer Franz Lehár in 1905. The classic Viennese operetta tells a romantic love story that takes place in Paris. The stage director, set designer and costume designer Hugo de Ana sets the story, which takes place in the 1920s-30s, and presents on the stage “Art Deco architecture” and “Lalique style of decorations" with distinct characteristics of the times that were popular in Europe in those days. All landmarks, including Maxim’s and La Tour Eiffel, reflect the romantic atmosphere unique to Paris all the time on the stage. As a Viennese operetta, Die Lustige Witwe cannot dispense with the “waltz,” so Lehár, who knew all about dance music composition, widely-applied in the play dance music pieces that were popular throughout Europe at that time, such as mazurka and kolo. The music notes, melodious or upbeat, are tied in closely with singing, and audience can hear dance music rhythms clearly in many arias and glees.
With reporters in attendance, tenor SHI Yijie, who would play the French liaison officer Camille de Rosillon, and soprano LIU Lian, who would play the ambassadress Valencienne, jointly performed a classic duet from Act 2. Camille’s deep affection for Valencienne touches her a lot, but she stands determined to stay faithful in her marriage. In the classic duet, following a passionate dialogue is a romantic piece sung by Camille with deep feeling. Camille begs with so great eagerness that Valencienne could barely reject it. The aria not only puts forward high requirements for vocalists’ singing ability, but poses a challenge to performers’ performing skills.
When introducing the aria, vocalist SHI Yijie described the affection between Camille and Valencienne as “true love”. He said, “Although Valencienne is a married woman, the music reveals the true love between Camille and her. The duet from Act 2 is one of the most melodious arias throughout the play. Despite the twists and turns thet have undergone, their attachment to each other finds expression in the music.”
To singer LIU Lian, the director’s meticulous guidance on the performance in this duet further highlights the affection. She said, “This aria is very special, since not only is it a duet, but it contains an arietta. Valencienne was a bar dancer, and she has left herself no choice but to be demure since she married the ambassador. However, she is not what she used to be. Not until she falls in love with Camille does she find her true self in the romance. All this is acted out in detail as is designed by the director; every expression in Valencienne’s eyes and each of her actions are relevant closely to her heart.”
by NCPA
