OPERAFEST LISBOA 2023

18 AUGUST to 9 SEPTEMBER 2023
GARDEN OF MUSEU MNAA

"From Heaven to Hell"

The desire to reach a higher level is an unquestionable human aspiration- a level of harmony, beauty and supreme pleasure, in the opposite extreme is human terror for situations of extreme suffering -  Human supreme desires and fears- "Heaven and Hell", are Operafest Lisboa 2023’ motto.

This 4th edition is marked by two great classics, the two most performed operas of all times: Bizet's "Carmen" and Mozart's "The Magic Flute"; in double bill emblematic Puccini's "Suor Angelica" with absolute premiere of "Rigor mortis" by young talented Francisco Lima da Silva, Maratona Opera XXI – contemporary opera competition, this edition highlighting emerging singing talent to perform the opera of today, the launch of Cine-Opera Cycle crossing opera and cinema, evoking great Maria Callas, "Lyric Machine" providing singing lessons to curious amateurs, "Occult Forces" Performance and much more, closing with Operafest’s unique divine and evil operatic rave "From Heaven to hell" blending the world of pop and opera!

Everything from heaven to hell, having as cross-cutting question, women condition and fight for women's freedom and rights.

It kicks off with a GREAT CLASSIC,  in Latin land,  an opera that was at its premiere a resounding failure, for its apology to female emancipation, but quickly becoming one of the major operatic hits of all time, -  irresistible "Carmen" by Bizet. For this fearless woman there is precisely no heaven nor hell, but a whole life dominated by men, which she in turn subjugates to satisfy her needs and passions. Starring acclaimed Portuguese Mezzo of warm powerful timbre, Cátia Moreso, and featuring Mexican tenor Rodrigo Porras Garulo as Don José and Columbian Baritone Christian Luján as Escamiglio. This new production will mark actor and stage director Tónan Quito’s debut in opera staging, conducted by Portuguese-Polish conductor Jan Wierzba.

Right after, another Classic of XX Century, Puccini’s "Il trittico" favorite opera "Suor Angelica". An out-of marriage pregnancy condemns its protagonist Angelica to family expulsion and cloistered life, deprived from her own son. In double bill with absolute premiere "Rigor mortis or The house of Rings" by young talented composer Francisco Lima da Silva, with a libretto based on "Mortuary House" by Domingos Monteiro, displaying a man declared dead, who continues to be able to observe life around him, until final revelation. A post mortem modern fable evoking limits between life and death and universal tragedy strongly highlighting women condition of guilt atonement. Soprano Catarina Molder will incarnate the protagonist, directed by David Pereira Bastos another debut in opera staging, conducted by promising Miguel Sepúlveda.

To all family, another GREAT CLASSIC, the most performed opera of all-time "The Magic Flute" by genius Mozart. The Flute given by the three dames to prince Tamino to win his beloved Princess Pamina, has the power of neutralizing evil, its music operates miracles whipping out danger. Symbolizing good against evil, darkness versus light, filled with contradiction this apparently enchanting fairy tale, after all speaks about parental abuse, cowardice versus courage and love. With the most sublime music, this opera irradiates an overwhelming light reaching out all audiences, marking the first opera staging by actress and staged director Mónica Garnel, with a cast of great Portuguese emerging singing talent.

Contemporary opera contest – MARATONA OPERA XXI- GREAT SINGERS to the OPERA OF TODAY, this 4th edition bets on the interpretation of opera of our time in co-production with MPMP and a new program partner – Centro Cultural de Belém. With an aria selection of Portuguese opera of a recent past, from composers such as Alexandre Delgado, António Chagas Rosa, Sara Ross or Francisco Fontes among others, in a staged performance, the challenge is to evaluate singing and performing skills in the interpretation of contemporary repertoire, empowering the tradition of singing in Portuguese and appropriation, specialization and diffusion of Portuguese contemporary opera repertoire among younger generations, bringing it closer to interpreters and to audience of today. Actor and stage director Rodrigo Aleixo, winner of Maratona’ last edition, will direct this production conducted by on of the most talented conductors of her generation, Rita Castro Blanco.

The awaited cycle CINE-OPERA finally taking place, in partnership with Portuguese Cinemateca, proposing crossroads and mutual evocations between cinema and opera and paying homage to divine Maria Callas on her birth Centenary.  It presents the undeniable classic by Ingmar Bergman "The Magic Flute", not less extraordinary film "The Cannibals" by visionary Manoel de Oliveira, who created a new paradigm. For the first time in opera history a great film director creates a film/opera – an opera existing only on cinema screen and last but not least "Maria by Callas" by Tom Volf.

New insights and explorations around opera in OPERA SATELLITE, introduce Performance for the first time, with "Occult forces" by performer, actor and visual artist Gustavo Sumpta, in the magnificent setting of the Ruins of Lisbon Roman Theatre, or providing operatic happening at home or at work with "Operatic Raffles", or singing lessons to curious amateurs with "Lyric Machine" for a vocal self-discovery experience, the two session free course "Opera Discovery" and the conference "Maria Callas Phenomenon" by Rui Vieira Nery, reflecting about this unique diva’s career and legacy. Finally, operatic Rave "From heaven to hell" closing Operasfest in a celebration of opera, pop, electronic and dance music with plenty of operatic frenzy, between sacred and profane, the sky is the limit!!

Welcome to Operafest and the tragic world of opera!