In a remarkable musical event, Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra delivered a thrilling concert performance of Leoš Janáček's opera The Makropulos Affair at London's Barbican Hall. This semi-staging, which played without an interval, provided a starkly different experience to a full production at the Royal Opera House just two months prior, yet proved equally compelling in its dramatic power.
A Manic, Unrelenting Pace from Rattle and the LSO
From the very first bars of the opera's exciting prelude, Rattle established a pace that was almost manic in its speed and intensity. The conductor maintained this fierce tension for the entirety of the two-hour work, creating a breathless and utterly absorbing experience. While this approach occasionally sacrificed some of the lighter, more beguiling touches found in other interpretations, it never compromised Janáček's intricate orchestral detail.
The London Symphony Orchestra responded with thrillingly precise and passionate playing. Every nuanced harmony and deft instrumental solo, such as the significant bassoon line that heralds the entrance of the central character, was rendered with clarity and purpose, showcasing the composer's extraordinary ear.
A Commanding Central Performance and Authentic Cast
The success of The Makropulos Affair hinges on a commanding performance in the role of Emilia Marty, the 337-year-old diva originally born as Elina Makropulos. German soprano Marlis Petersen delivered precisely that. Facing Janáček's cruelly exposed vocal writing, Petersen combined emotional intelligence with vocal grandeur, making the character's final act transformation genuinely uplifting. Her performance stands among the most memorable interpretations of this challenging role.
The production was further strengthened by a sharply drawn ensemble of supporting characters. The casting of native Czech singers in several roles, including Aleš Briscein as Albert Gregor and Jan Martiník as Kolenaty, brought instant authenticity and compelling contrast. Alan Oke provided a standout turn, effortlessly stealing his scenes as the elderly Count Hauk-Šendorf.
Emotional Impact and Startling Modern Relevance
Strikingly, this concert version achieved greater emotional impact and dramatic coherence than some recent fully-staged productions. Under Rattle's baton, the story of a woman who chooses mortality over endless life emerged as the intense and humane masterpiece Janáček intended.
A century after its premiere, the opera's themes felt frighteningly relevant. Written in the shadow of World War I, its exploration of the desperate, alchemical pursuit of immortality resonated powerfully in a contemporary context, drawing implicit parallels to modern autocrats and megalomaniacs obsessed with their own legacy and permanence.
The performance was repeated at the Barbican Hall on 15 January, offering another audience the chance to witness this sensational account of a 20th-century operatic great.
