Renee Fleming Stars in Massenet's Thais
Metropolitan Opera Live in HD on December 20
By: Charles Giuliano - Dec 13, 2008
Thais by Jules Massenet
Conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos
Production: John Cox originated at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2002; Ms. Fleming's Costumes by Christian Lacroix; Lighting Designer, Duane Schuler; Choreographer, Sara Jo Slate
Starring: Renee Fleming (Thais), Thomas Hampson (Athanael), Michael Schade (Nicias). Violin Solo, Laura Hamilton. Solo Dancer, Zahra Hashemian.
The Metropolitan Opera through January 8.
The Met: Live in HD, transmitted world wide, December 20
Link to Met
For the first time since 1978, when Beverly Sills appeared in the title role, the Metropolitan Opera is presenting Thais (1894), by the French composer, Jules Massenet (1842- 1912). This production of the opera, only the fourth presented by the Met- the other were staged in 1917, 1922, and 1939- was produced by John Cox for the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2002. The stars of the Chicago opera, Renee Fleming as the Egyptian courtesan, Thais, and the monk, Athanael (Thomas Hampson), who aspires to save her soul, are featured in New York.
The exotic setting in turn of the century Alexandria, the lush, sensual music of Massenet, and the melodrama of a sinner who all too readily morphs into a Bride of Christ, is clearly a period piece. One finds in the opera elements of Colonialism, exotic notions of religion, the late phase of Romanticism, and a particularly French taste for Orientalism. All of these elements would explain why it has not sustained as a standard in the repertoire. The final act, in particular, is over the top and difficult to accept with a straight face.
But the compelling drive behind this stunning and galvanic production is the remarkable performance by Renee Fleming. The opera could well have been written for her. Surely there is no better role to highlight her remarkable assets including physical beauty, superb acting, and the voice of an angel. The story relates how the courtesan who has all of Alexandria enthralled renounces her evil ways, and with the help of the monk, Athanael, embraces the Savior..
Of the stars of opera today none shines more brightly than Renee Fleming. She has made some 150 appearances with the Metropolitan Opera. Fleming was featured in the Met's Opening Night Gala. She returns to the Met, in March, in the title role of Dvorak's "Rusalka."
Her appearance as Thais, which premiered at the Met on December 8, has been the most anticipated event of the season. In a New York Times review, on December 10, Anthony Tommasini wrote "Ms. Fleming, who has always made deliberate decisions about repertory, has said that the role of Thais could have been written for her. Her performance proves her point. Though filled with lyrical flights to the upper register and some florid singing, which she handled beautifully, the vocal lines mostly hover in the soprano's midrange, where Ms. Fleming's sound is especially rich, sensual and strong."
While the opera is a vehicle for Fleming the pairing with Thomas Hampson, as Athanael, is brilliant and inspired. With his dark skin and dreadlocks he is the perfectly handsome, exotic, African companion to the stunning, blonde Fleming with her cascades of curls. It is intriguing to note the degree to which hair plays a role in their physical appeal.
Of course, we come to the opera to hear the music and listen to the beauty of the singing but this production conveyed an abundance of riches for the eye. Every aspect of the production from the sets, lighting, costumes and choreography enhanced the delight and sensuality of the experience. It was particularly rewarding to see this production on stage at the Met.
While there is nothing like seeing an opera at the Met, on December 20, the performance of "Thais" will be broadcast live in HD to 850 screens in 28 countries. Of these some 478 screens are in the US. In the Berkshires the broadcast will be seen at the Mahaiwe, in Great Barrington, as well as the West Springfield Cinema and theatres in Albany and Hudson, New York. Be sure to consult media listings for the screen nearest to you. This is an event that is not to be missed. During the 2008-2009 season there are 11 HD broadcasts to the global network of theatres. There is also a new Met Player subscription service offering an extensive catalog of full length, historical performances as well as a dozen of The Met: Live in HD series available on line. This global outreach in theatres and on line has great potential to expand audiences for opera.
On every level the performance of "Thais" was enthralling. We were absorbed from the first moments of the opening scene. The set revealed a stark, barren, desert settlement of Cenobite monks. The stage undulated in a simulation of sand dunes marked by angular light. The leader of the monks is prevailing on the sanguine Athanael not to interfere with the affairs of man. But he is driven to grapple with evil and save the soul of the courtesan of Alexandria. Against all advice he departs for the city. There he finds the house of a former classmate and friend, Nicias (Michael Schade). It appears that Nicias will dine one more time with Thais. At great cost he purchased her companionship for one week so, clothed in finery from Nicias disguising his robes, Athanael, will confront her that night.
She has first appeared to him in a dream but in real life she is ever more radiant and tempting. With enormous resolve he resists her seductive charms. Attired in a spectacular harem outfit (created by Christian Lacroix) she is indeed irresistible. But, like Mary Magdalene, he appeals to her dread of losing youth and physical beauty. He prevails on her to embrace the Lord and become a Bride of Christ. It is her only hope for eternal beauty and salvation. Alone in her bedroom, again in a spectacular red, flowing gown by Lacroix, she agonizes before her reflection in a mirror. The salvation offered by the monk fills her with fear and remorse.
Through luck Nicias has won back the fortune he squandered on Thais. Enthralled and in love he aspires to continue to pay for her services. In a compelling scene the people of Alexandria join him in a wanton chorus of lust. When it becomes apparent that she is renouncing her sinful life the adulation of the mob turns to rage. They threaten to destroy her and the monk who has taken her from them. Athanael has convinced her to burn her palace and its ill gotten treasures. Nicias, as a last act of love, and out of loyalty to his friend, scatters money before the mob to distract them while the couple escapes.
In the desert Athanael is determined to convey her to a remote convent. Pressing on she begs for time to rest but he demands that she must suffer and repent by renouncing the flesh. Until he observes her bleeding feet and leaves to find water and fruit. At the convent he turns her over to the nuns but is filled with dread when he realizes that he will never see her again. As both a man as well as a monk he struggles between his urge to save her as well as the temptation to be her lover. Back with the monks he fasts for three months while struggling with desire and conflict. Yet again he is reminded by the head of the monks just why he had been warned not to be involved with the affairs of mankind.
In the convent it appears that Thais had also followed a regimen of denial of the flesh and penance. He learns that she is near death but is already being embraced as a saint by the nuns. The final scene is, well, a bit much for a contemporary audience. He finds her, literally, seated on an altar ready to ascend to heaven. While, in her final moments, he pleads his love for her, she is in the ecstatic throes of her love of God. She departs for Heaven while he seems condemned to Hell on earth. Although he saved her Athanael was lost in the process.
While Massenet's "Thais" is regarded as a minor work in the canon of opera it soars from obscurity when energized by a uniquely gifted soprano. For a past generation that was Beverly Sills. Today, there is no more remarkable diva than Renee Fleming. Presenting her as Thais was, on every level, a match made in heaven.