Werner van Mechelen

Staged by LA FURA DELS BAUS

World Premiere Recording

Barcelona’s Grand Teatre del Liceu presents György Ligeti’s sole opera “Le grand macabre” in a stunningly imaginative and highly theatrical production by La Fura dels Baus - a production that already claimed enormous success in Brussels, London and Rome and - as the British Independent proclaimed - “only comes along once a decade”.

Ligeti’s (1923-2006) absurd-tragicomical masterpiece of the highest order blends popular theater, comics, pop art, cabaret, caricature and the Apocalypse with fascinating imaginativeness. The orchestra, for example, is enhanced with “instruments” such as car horns and doorbells. Ligeti himself – one of the great composers of the later 20th century – called his work an “anti-anti-opera.” Premiered in Stockholm in 1978, the work is based on a play by Michel de Ghelderode (1898-1962) and unfolds in an imaginary land inspired by the famous Dutch painter Pieter Brueghel the Elder: Nekrotzar, the Grand Macabre, announces the end of the world; but in a land ruled by eros, alcohol and corruption, his plan to unleash the Apocalypse bursts like a soap bubble. The people continue to lead their lives as before and refuse to be frightened by thoughts of death and a dark future… Masterfully rendering the colorful score is conductor Michael Boder and the orchestra and chorus of the Liceu. The top-notch cast includes Werner Van Mechelen as Nekrotzar, Chris Merritt as Piet the Pot, Barbara Hannigan as Chief of the secret police, and Brian Asawa as Prince Go-Go.

Special Features: „Fear to Death“ - Making Of Le Grand Macabre & Interview with Michael Boder.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1 (DVD)

Format: 1 x DVD 5 / DVD 9, NTSC, 25 GB (Single Layer)

Subtitle Languages: GB (Original Language), IT, DE, FR, ES, Korean, Catalan, JP

Running Time: 122 mins + 42 mins (bonus)

FSK: 12

Staged by LA FURA DELS BAUS

World Premiere Recording

Barcelona’s Grand Teatre del Liceu presents György Ligeti’s sole opera “Le grand macabre” in a stunningly imaginative and highly theatrical production by La Fura dels Baus - a production that already claimed enormous success in Brussels, London and Rome and - as the British Independent proclaimed - “only comes along once a decade”.

Ligeti’s (1923-2006) absurd-tragicomical masterpiece of the highest order blends popular theater, comics, pop art, cabaret, caricature and the Apocalypse with fascinating imaginativeness. The orchestra, for example, is enhanced with “instruments” such as car horns and doorbells. Ligeti himself – one of the great composers of the later 20th century – called his work an “anti-anti-opera.” Premiered in Stockholm in 1978, the work is based on a play by Michel de Ghelderode (1898-1962) and unfolds in an imaginary land inspired by the famous Dutch painter Pieter Brueghel the Elder: Nekrotzar, the Grand Macabre, announces the end of the world; but in a land ruled by eros, alcohol and corruption, his plan to unleash the Apocalypse bursts like a soap bubble. The people continue to lead their lives as before and refuse to be frightened by thoughts of death and a dark future… Masterfully rendering the colorful score is conductor Michael Boder and the orchestra and chorus of the Liceu. The top-notch cast includes Werner Van Mechelen as Nekrotzar, Chris Merritt as Piet the Pot, Barbara Hannigan as Chief of the secret police, and Brian Asawa as Prince Go-Go.

Special Features: „Fear to Death“ - Making Of Le Grand Macabre & Interview with Michael Boder.

PCM Stereo, dts-HD Master Audio 5.1 (Blu-ray)

Picture Format: 16:9, 1080i

Subtitle Languages: GB (Original Language), IT, DE, FR, ES, Korean, Catalan, JP

Running Time: 122 mins + 42 mins (bonus)

FSK: 12

This production of one of the late masterpieces of Massenet, 'Don Quichotte', in May 2010 from La Monnaie, was the last great role performed by the feted Belgian baritone, José van Dam.

This very special context generates a real intensity, enhanced by the stage direction of Laurent Pelly and the expertise of Marc Minkowski in French opera repertoire, following numerous productions by Massenet, Debussy, Meyerbeer, Offenbach, Auber, Boieldieu, Gounod…

The DVD includes a touching documentary on this production.

José van Dam was born in Brussels. As a guest in the world’s leading opera houses, he has sung the title roles of countless operas but has become synonymous with Philip [Don Carlos] and Don Quichotte in particular. He has contributed to the success of many opera productions at La Monnaie, where he has also appeared in concerts and recitals. He also performs a vast concert, oratorio and song repertoire and has made many recordings. His cinema appearances include the title role in Gérard Corbiau’s 'Le Maître de musique' (The Music Teacher) and a brilliant Leporello in Joseph Losey’s 'Don Giovanni'.

His interpretations have earned him numerous awards. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Montreal; the City of Berlin awarded him the honorary title of ‘Kammersänger’; the French Government has appointed him Commandeur des Arts et Lettres; and he has been ennobled by King Albert II of Belgium.