paroolSep 7, 2026, 17:22

Review Pagliacci and Cavalleria rusticana: illusion and reality consistently intertwine in the season opener of the Dutch National Opera

The Dutch National Opera has launched its new season with an innovative production of the famous double bill Pagliacci and Cavalleria rusticana. Director Robert Carsen employs a clever theatrical approach that dissolves the fourth wall, creating a seamless connection between the performance and the audience.

The Dutch National Opera has opened its season with a powerful double bill of Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci and Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana. Directed by Robert Carsen, the production creatively blurs the lines between reality and theatrical illusion. By reversing the traditional performance order, Carsen uses the prologue of Pagliacci to dismantle the fourth wall, effectively placing the audience within a theater-within-a-theater setting. The staging utilizes the actual backstage areas of the Nationale Opera and Ballet to deepen this immersive experience, supported by precise visual language and masterful lighting design.

The production features standout performances, including Riccardo Massi as the tormented clown Canio and Raehann Bryce-Davis in her notable debut as Santuzza. While the visual and dramatic elements excel, the musical delivery led by conductor Andrea Battistoni occasionally sacrifices delicate nuance for immense orchestral volume. Ultimately, the performance serves as a striking exploration of love, jealousy, and betrayal, successfully transforming emotional reality into a compelling and serious piece of theater.

Culture

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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