Adaptation of the text and dramaturgy
La Seine Musicale, Paris 2017
Yann Breton (excerpt from the program)
“In order to meet the demands of modern concert practice, Beate Haeckl has revised and condensed the work, while preserving its essential core. Together with her, Laurence Equilbey and Séverine Chavrier have rediscovered Beethoven’s music for this dramaturgical concept; it is now presented not only in its original form, but also through a subtle play of echoes and reminiscences that breathes new life into the creative process and forges an even more intimate connection between drama and music.” (translated by B. Haeckl)
Conductor: Laurence Equilbey
Director: Séverine Chavrier
Adaptation of the libretto and dramaturgy: Beate Haeckl
After the performances at La Seine Musicale, the production traveled to Vienna, where further performances took place at the Theater an der Wien.
Reviews (selection)
• Sceneweb: A la Seine musicale, un Egmont de combat
• Resmusica: Déroutant Egmont, révolutionnaire Beethoven à la Seine Musicale.
« Fruit d’un travail titanesque et d’une intense réflexion (Séverine Chavrier s’est entourée de pas moins de trois conseillers historiques et littéraires !), la mise en scène de l’actuelle directrice du Centre Dramatique National d’Orléans porte une vision radicale en choisissant de ne maintenir que la moelle épinière de la pièce de théâtre initiale avec pour particularité quatre comédiens au lieu d’un unique récitant. L’impact et la force du texte s’affirment de façon plus brute, plus immédiate. »
(As a result of a titanic effort and intense reflection—Séverine Chavrier secured the support of no less than three historical and literary consultants!—the staging by the current director of the Centre Dramatique National d’Orléans proposes a radical vision: she decided to retain only the bare backbone of the original play, notably using four actors instead of a single narrator. In this way, the impact and strength of the text unfold in a rawer, more immediate form.) (translated by B. Haeckl)
