Panevėžys Musical Theatre presents one of the most striking premieres of the new season - the opera "The Voice of Man" by French composer Francis Poulenc. The monodrama, based on a libretto by the writer, poet and playwright Jean Cocteau almost seven decades ago, is now very popular in theatres in France, Germany, Italy and other countries. "I have no doubt that this is one of Poulenc's most interesting works, both in terms of its musical colour and its plot," says Erki Pehkas, the music director and conductor of the production, who is preparing it for the Panevėžys Musical Theatre.
The opera, which was born in 1958, is a deep drama of feelings, as a woman betrayed by the one she loves experiences. The work is a confessional by the composer himself. The only performer on stage, talking on the phone to the lover who has left her, experiences grief, anger, jealousy, fading hopes and the threat of suicide in a short space of time.
What a paradox: such a tragedy was written by a composer who was renowned for his cheerful manner and his good sense of humour. It was originally intended as a joke. One day, while Poulenc was at the Milan Opera with a friend, a soloist on stage caused a conflict. The friend jokingly suggested to the composer that he write a monodrama in which the performer he had seen that evening could appear and receive an ovation without being unnecessarily seated. Despite the hilarious motives behind the creation of The Voice of Man, it is said that it is this opera that most closely reflects the true dark side of the personality of the dashing, innovative composer.
The famous opera The Voice of Man has been performed in Lithuania several times. The TV film (1978, directed by J. Janulevičiūtė) with our unforgettable prima donna Giedre Kaukaite was particularly successful.
The 45-minute opera performance in Lithuanian on the stage of the Panevėžys Musical Theatre is being staged by an international professional team from Estonia. Panevėžys audiences are already familiar with Erki Pehka, the talented conductor of the Panevėžys Music Theatre. Director, set and costume designer Madis Nurms is a renowned artist in his home country, whose work has graced operas, plays, ballet performances and other artistic projects in Estonia and abroad. Lighting designer Antonis Kulagin is renowned for his ability to use light technology to create spectacular visual experiences for audiences. According to the latter artist, the idea of staging an opera in Panevėžys is very interesting. The prison-like, claustrophobic room, where only the protagonist and her only interlocutor is a telephone, emphasises the feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, one wonders whether this is a real prison or just a spiritual captivity. "Cocteau and Pulenc have presented a wonderful puzzle, and our task is to find a glimmer of hope in Elle's gloomy story," adds Kulagin.
Interestingly, The Voice of Man is mostly performed with piano. However, the Panevėžys audience will be able to enjoy the original version with orchestra.
Musical Theatre Artistic Director E.Pehkas makes no secret of the fact that Poulenc's monodrama is a considerable challenge for him and the orchestra, as the music is an equal partner of the soloist, and not only an accompaniment role. The orchestra creates the mood of the action and, as it were, holds a conversation with the protagonist.
The role in the mono opera The Voice of Man, which requires extraordinary vocal and acting talent, is the dream of many soloists. In Panevėžys, Jomantė Šležaitė and Monika Pleškytė, two of the most promising opera soloists of the younger generation in Lithuania, have taken on the role. These singers are welcome not only in Lithuania but also abroad, and they have won numerous musical awards and nominations.
