CONCERT PROGRAM
G. Verdi – Opera “Macbeth” (semi-stage performance)
Following the stunning launch of the No Encore cycle with Richard Strauss’s Salome, Vilnius City Opera and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius, invite audiences to plunge into the dark and hypnotic world of Macbeth. This masterpiece, uniting two titans of drama and classical music – Giuseppe Verdi and William Shakespeare – draws us into one of the darkest narratives in the history of art. Steeped in legend and superstition, Macbeth is often referred to as “the Scottish play” in theatre circles, with many avoiding even uttering its name for fear of inviting misfortune.
Dalia Ibelhauptaitė: “I’ve wanted to take on Macbeth for twelve years. I always felt we had fantastic Lithuanian soloists capable of bringing these roles to life. The characters are so complex that only true masters of both vocal and dramatic craft can embody them. My final decision came in Salzburg, while watching Asmik perform Lady Macbeth. I believe it’s one of the most brilliant highlights of her career today, and I truly want Lithuanian audiences to experience it. Alongside her, in the multifaceted role of Macduff, we will see an intriguing interpretation by Edgaras Montvidas, while the singer portraying Macbeth remains, for now, a secret and an exciting mystery. What’s certain is that Macbeth will bring together on stage both the greats of our golden operatic generation and today’s brightest rising stars.”
Verdi’s Macbeth dives into the darkest corners of the human soul, striving to observe and understand how the most twisted and intense emotions are born within us. Verdi explores the psychological turmoil inside his protagonist, leading to a spiral of terrifying, insane decisions and a trail of murders that ultimately devours the very heroes who commit them. The opera is filled with visions through which the composer takes us deep into the subconscious, revealing the hidden forces behind unpredictable actions and giving us a glimpse of what the characters truly feel.
Macbeth can easily be seen as an echo of modern authoritarian leadership. We could readily name several current world figures who are only a few steps away from becoming Macbeths themselves. Importantly, Shakespeare did not create a solitary tyrant in isolation – he gave us a pair. Without Lady Macbeth, the story could not unfold. Their relationship and the chillingly complex portrait of a cold-blooded woman add a profound psychological depth to the drama.