Ravel's L'Heure espagnole and L'Enfant et les sortilèges Reimagined in New Performance

Ravel's focus on text in two operas

In his two lyrical operas, L'Heure espagnole and L'Enfant et les sortilèges, composer Maurice Ravel places strong emphasis on the words used, creating works that are deeply tied to language and meaning. These operas are considered challenging to translate, partly due to their intricate use of French and the way they weave text into the music.

Staging of L'Heure espagnole

L'Heure espagnole begins with a seemingly simple plot involving a watchmaker, his wife, and their complicated relationships. The production, directed by Jean-Louis Grinda and designed by Rudy Sabounghi, avoids over-the-top interpretations. Instead, it uses a stylized, cartoon-like setting where characters express their emotions through exaggerated performances, often without direct eye contact.

Performances in L'Heure espagnole

The cast delivers a cohesive performance, with notable contributions from Vincent Ordonneau as Torquemada and Ivan Thirion as Ramiro. Pierre Derhet's portrayal of Gonzalve is particularly praised for his nuanced handling of the text, while Patrick Bolleire and Anne-Catherine Gillet also offer strong performances, though with some minor challenges in clarity and tone.

Orchestral interpretation

The orchestra, led by Jean-Yves Ossonce, provides a rich and colorful sound, though some moments show hesitation or uncertainty. The performance avoids a strict, linear structure, instead favoring a more fragmented approach where musical moments blend together. This interpretation is not labeled as impressionist, as Ravel might have disliked such a classification, but it emphasizes sound and timbre with careful attention to detail.

Shift in approach in L'Enfant et les sortilèges

L'Enfant et les sortilèges moves away from the mechanical world of the first opera to a more imaginative realm where nature and objects have their own lives and moralities. Based on a libretto by Colette, the opera originally began as a ballet project, focusing on movement and visual storytelling rather than spoken words.

Performances in L'Enfant et les sortilèges

The production features a vibrant and expressive cast, with Aya Wakizono standing out as the child protagonist. Marlène Asayag delivers strong performances in multiple roles, and Loïc Félix brings energy and charm to his character of Arithmetic. The entire ensemble contributes to a performance that is both readable and visually stunning, blending music and movement seamlessly.