Polish opera director in Judean Desert
One of world’s most renowned opera directors, Michal Znaniecki, says producing Verdi's 'La traviata' at Masada this spring is a 'natural choice'
In his quest to pioneer opera life and culture, "La traviata" was one of the first of several operas that Golinkin directed in the early years leading to Jewish statehood.
Video courtesy of jn1.tv
But now, over 90 years later, "La traviata" is making its appearance once again in the Holy Land – this time under very different circumstances. The Israeli Opera today is internationally recognized, and Tel Aviv boasts a state-of-the-art Opera House at the city’s Performing Arts Center.
However, the new production of "La traviata" will take place at Masada from June 12 to 17, as the main performance of the fourth Israeli Opera Festival. In the past, the Israeli festival featured Giuseppe Verdi's operas, "Nabucco" (2010) and "Aida" (2011), also held at the lowest point on earth.
"We want to give these stones life," says Chana Munitz, Israel’s Opera general director, in reference to Masada, a rugged natural fortress where survivors of the Jewish revolt against Roman rule chose death rather than slavery. "Producing opera in an opera house is one thing, but producing an opera event in the desert is quite another."
The "La traviata" production is directed by one of the world’s most renowned opera directors, Michal Znaniecki, who specializes in open air productions. The show will also feature internationally-acclaimed Israeli conductor maestro Daniel Oren.
Znaniecki, originally from Warsaw, told Tazpit News Agency that producing "La traviata" in Masada "was a natural choice."
"Masada’s history is a perfect backdrop for 'La traviata.' The life and death theme in the story resonates with what took place in Masada in addition to the landmarks’ importance for the people of Israel," he stated.
The Polish director began his career in 1994, and has directed 180 new productions of opera, theater plays, and musicals across the world in Poland, France, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Norway and Argentina among other countries.
Znaniecki has been working on the "La traviata" production for the past three years and related to Tazpit that he was "excited to see the project finally happen in the Judean desert."
It will be the largest and most complex opera production ever seen in Israel, employing some 2,500 people, in addition to 700 participants and operating teams.
The festival will also feature the Israel Philharmonic led by Kent Nagano and the Idan Raichel Project, as well as singers from the Israel Opera’s Meitar Opera Studio.
The Israel Ministry of Tourism expects 50,000 people from Israel and "cultural tourists" from abroad to partake in the 2014 festival. This year, the Israeli Opera Festival will also reach Akko (June 19-21), and will feature a weekend of Mozart at the subterranean Crusader Halls in Akko’s Old City.
For tickets and more information about the Fourth Israeli Opera Festival, call 972-3-692-7777 or visit www.israel-opera.co.il
Reprinted with permission from the Tazpit News Agency
