Described as a musical comedy by its composer, Franz Lehár’s last operetta has more in common with Puccini’s great operas than classic American musicals, as demonstrated by its premiere amid great fanfare at the Staatsoper in Vienna in 1934. While Giuditta might bring to mind certain operatic heroines (Carmen, Violetta, Mélisande), the character is mostly based on Marlene Dietrich and her iconic roles as cabaret headliner in L’Ange bleu and Morocco. Slippedisc, courtesy of OperaVision, streams l’Opéra national du Rhin for the first time. Thomas Rösner directs the French version of this captivating, rare gem in a vibrant spectacle designed by Pierre-André Weitz set within the worlds of the circus and cabaret. Melody Louledjian sings the title role.
Sung in French. subtitles in English and French.
The Plot: time stands still whenever Giuditta starts to sing. Regarded as a bird of paradise, many a man has tried to enclose her in a golden cage and trap her in chains of diamonds disguised as necklaces. To no avail: the beautiful Giuditta is as protective of her freedom as her secrets. No one truly knows from whence she came, not the bird-catcher who one day found her on the shore and married her no questions asked, or the handsome Captain Octavio with whom she ran away to North Africa…
Streamed Friday 4 July 2025 at 1900 CET / 1800 London / 1300 New York
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