'When crows scratch, they gossip with each other about love.'
(Toon Tellegen)
Beatrice and Benedict, two sworn bachelors, lust after each other raw. Their obstinacy and mockery prompts Don Pedro and his entourage to trick them into marriage.
Berlioz drew inspiration for his last opera Béatrice et Bénédict on the romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare. As usual, WALPURGIS also unravels this opera classic to the bone and treats you to an entertaining evening in which spoken and sung dialogues and mischievous comments constantly alternate.
The libretto readings, a unique concept
Our libretto readings have since become a true theatre tradition. In 2015, we are already on our 10th edition. Librettos that have already been taken in hand include. Cosi fan Tutte, The Flutter Mouse, Don Giovanni, Fidelio, La Bohème and Daphne. Would you like to experience opera up close in a playful, even anarchic way? Then our libretto readings are a real experience!
Go for the double experience
Our libretto reading is the perfect introduction to the opera Béatrice et Bénédict. So be sure to go to the Brussels Opera as well in spring 2016 The Mint (this season on location at Tour & Taxis) where Richard Brunel Béatrice et Bénédict directs. Sophie Karthäuser, Lionel Lhote and Anne-Catherine Gillet sing along, among others.
Together with La Monnaie and C-mine, WALPURGIS is organising visits to this opera on Saturday 26 March (8pm), Friday 1 April (8pm), Saturday 2 April (8pm) and Sunday 3 April (3pm).
If you saw the libretto lecture, you can buy tickets for the opera at 30% off the regular price! Interested? More info via info@walpurgis.be
Press
“The spectator suddenly finds himself in a blistering rollercoaster that shatters just about every theatre and opera convention. Moreover, male roles are performed magnificently by ladies - and vice versa. Singing supports the whole. "Dieu vous pardonne" or "Je vais l'adorer" echo like compelling mantras throughout the characters' antics. Meanwhile, the actors turn their text pages emphatically, appear to be debating phrases invented on the spot, or tilt from exuberant joy into unfathomable tristesse at will."
Shakespeare in the manner of Berlioz: musical theatre Walpurgis serves tantalising "amuse"! - Frank Kloeck - 't Periodiekske - 20.10.2015
Announcement in MM Magazine De Munt (also appears as a supplement to De Morgen and Le Soir), p.74
Public
"Wonderful performance! Spiteful dialogues, heavenly chants and tingling piano music alternate. Inventive direction, yet with plenty of room for improvisation, which the actors and opera soloists also use in unseen - and unheard - ways. Sometimes subtly, sometimes hilariously. In the audience, you are constantly left curious about what will happen on stage the next minute. A festive performance that will make even a brick happy. Do yourself a favour and don't miss them!" Wim, visitor
"I enjoyed Beatrice and Benedict immensely. It was fantastic, such fun to play and such quality. It will definitely encourage me to come to the FENIKS FESTIVAL again."Â Thea, visitor
"Highly recommended. Even if, like me, you don't know a thing about opera. A thoroughly enjoyable story, enormously funny presentation, an initiation to opera that only makes you want more." Marc, visitor
"This libretto reading is a drug that will really make you lol. Go see it!" Jelle Van Riet, author/journalist
"It was wonderful again!!!"Â Patrick and Linda, visitors
"It was a fantastic interplay, wonderful comedy acting, singing and music. Laughter all around. It was a true delight to me."Â Seppe
"The libretto reading was another hit: not just funny or beautiful, but layered, visually beautiful, good narrators, beautiful voices, poignant, mocking, sometimes cynical and stimulating to the imagination!" Â Hans
