HENRY VIII Saint-Saëns – La Monnaie / De Munt

This is the post-produced version of the opera Henry VIII. Six marriages, two annulments, two beheadings and the founding of his own Church, against the authority of Rome... in his search for a suitable spouse, the notorious Tudor King of England Henry VIII shrank from nothing. Here we focus on the amorous and political intrigues surrounding the annulment of Henry’s first marriage to Catherine of Aragon in favour of his new passion for Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII, a grand historical opera by Camille Saint-Saëns, is characterised by stark contrasts: ardour and modesty, jealousy and renunciation, intimacy and solemnity. La Monnaie in Brussels have entrusted their new production to director Olivier Py and conductor Alain Altinoglu, two fervent champions of the French repertoire. With magnificent sets, high drama and compelling music, this production offers a musical journey which starts in sixteenth century England but still resonates today through a timeless question: How far can a man of power go with his conquests? Streamed LIVE on OperaVision on 16 May 2023 at 19:00 CET and available until 16 November 2023: CAST Henry VIII Lionel Lhote Don Gomez de Féria Ed Lyon Cardinal Campeggio Vincent Le Texier Comte de Surrey Enguerrand de Hys Duc de Norfolk Werner van Mechelen Cranmer Jérôme Varnier Catherine d’Aragon Marie-Adeline Henry Anne de Boleyn Nora Gubisch Lady Clarence Claire Antoine Garter / King of Arms Alexander Marev A court bailiff Carlos Martinez/Alexander Marev Four ladies-in-waiting Alessia Thais Beradi Annelies Kerstens Lieve Jacobs Manon Poskin Four Lords Alain-Pierre Wingelinckx Luis Aguilar Byoungjin Lee René Laryea Orchestr La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra Chorus La Monnaie Chorus La Monnaie Choral Academy Music Camille Saint-Saëns Text Léonce Détroyat Armand Silvestre Conductor Alain Altinoglu Director Olivier Py Sets and costumes Pierre-André Weitz Lighting Bertrand Killy Choreographer Ivo Bauchiero Chorus Master Stefano Visconti OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision. WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: TIKTOK: @operavision