Magnificent “tote Stadt” at the Opera Bastille
A dense and torrential score, “Die tote Stadt” is a conductor’s opera.
With Pinchas Steinberg it found its champion.
Leading the opera orchestra rarely heard in such radiant form, the Israeli conductor never plays the self-indulgent nor the sensationalist card. He also does not allow the music to intoxicate him, but rather stays geared to the singers, for whom this work is like climbing the Cervin with bare hands.
Translated from NICOLAS D’ESTIENNE D’ORVES, LE FIGARO, 5 OCTOBER 2009