On August 3, 1777, Haydn’s new opera Il Mondo Della Luna was performed at the Esterhazy Theater. It is indeed a sci-fi opera in a modern view, but also characterized by traditional opera essence. In this opera, Haydn teamed up with the Italian playwright Goldoni to create an imaginary world on the moon, nearly 200 years ahead of the Apollo moon landing program, achieving the goal of sending human beings to the moon on the opera stage.
On September 23 to 24, 2023, Il Mondo Della Luna will have its Chinese premiere at Beijing Music Festival. At the same time, it will also be the first joint production of Beijing Music Festival and Dahua City Center for the Performing Arts. In recent decades, operas of the Classical period have gained popularity. Operas that had few opportunities to be staged previously have been performed around the world. The works of Haydn, the father of symphony and string quartet, who was equally talented in opera creation, are no exception.
As space technology gathers momentum, cultural and artistic works such as sci-fi literature, films and television works are increasingly attracting the public. The previously unreachable dream of space travel seems to be easy nowadays. This makes Haydn’s opera unique because it is in line with today’s trends. Beijing Music Festival will continue to explore and expand opera repertoire. This version of Il Mondo Della Luna provides the audience with a new perspective on opera through the combination of classical opera and modern stage arts.
What is unique is that Haydn did not compose a separate overture for this opera as people assume. Instead, the first movement of Symphony No. 63 composed at the same time was used as the overture to the opera to depict the scene when people observe the moon with a telescope.
Buonafede, an old wealthy businessman played by Yang Yi (low baritone), is keen on astronomical observation. The fake astronomer Ecclitico is played by Lin Junliang (tenor). Ecclitico claims that he can use a new telescope to see people taking off their clothes on the moon to lure Buonafede. Buonafede’s two daughters, Clarice and Flaminia are played by Li Mengshi (soprano) and Qiu Zhiqian (soprano) respectively. Their lovers are Ecclitico and Ernesto (played by falsetto tenor Liu Shen) respectively. To be with their lovers, the daughters and their lovers coax Buonafede to take sleeping pills and take him to a decorated garden that looks like the scenery of the moon. The scam ends up with Buonafede’s agreement, and the two couples fulfill their wishes. Besides, there is another couple in the opera: Lisetta, played by Liu Niru (mezzo-soprano), and Cecco, played by Xu Weiqin (tenor).
This opera is presented from a brand-new perspective of the Art Director of Dahua City Center for the Performing Arts and opera director Yi Liming and by the Central Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yu Ji. At the same time, a group of Chinese young singers who are intrigued by classical operas and perform around the world will gather in Beijing. They will demonstrate Chinese romantic imagination about the cosmos in this premiere.
Performance information
Time: 19:30, Saturday/Sunday, September 23/24
Location: Dahua City Center for the Performing Arts
Lin Junliang: Ecclitico, tenor
Liu Shen: Ernesto, falsetto tenor
Yang Yi: Buonafede, low baritone
Li Mengshi: Clarice, soprano
Qiu Zhiqian: Flaminia, soprano
Liu Niru: Lisetta, mezzo-soprano
Xu Weiqin: Cecco, tenor
Accompaniment: Wu Yifan, Tan Jiacheng, Meng Xiangrui, Chen Zhaoxu
Harpsichord/Vocal Director: Yin Bojie
Director/Lighting/Scenography: Yi Liming
Costume Design: Zeng Yunzhu
China Youth Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Yu Ji
Co-produced by Beijing Music Festival and Dahua City Center for the Performing Arts
Programme:
Il Mondo Della Luna by Haydn
