Led by legendary conductor Charles Dutoit, Wozzeck debuts in Beijing

Wozzeck, an opera in three acts by Austrian composer Alban Berg, made its Chinese debut at the Poly Theater in Beijing on Oct 18.

As a highlight of the 28th Beijing Music Festival, Berg's revolutionary opera was a collaboration between the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Belgium, and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, with legendary conductor Charles Dutoit leading the orchestra.

Featuring a world-class cast of singers, the opera's Chinese premiere was a truly historic event, captivating the audience with a stunning fusion of music and stage production, according to Zou Shuang, artistic director of the Beijing Music Festival. The Festival, which was born in 1998 and is one of the largest music events in the capital, was organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

Wozzeck is often regarded as one of the pinnacles of modern opera. It is both groundbreaking in its atonal musical style and incredibly sharp in its critique of societal injustices. Since its debut in 1925, the opera has made a profound impact on the world. The opera tells the harrowing story of a lowly soldier, Wozzeck, who is driven to madness and murder by the oppressive social and psychological forces around him.

"This Beijing performance came on the centenary of the opera's premiere and the 140th anniversary of Berg's birth, providing a perfect occasion for the Beijing Music Festival to honor this seminal work of modern art," Zou said.

Zou emphasized that the Beijing Music Festival has long been dedicated to presenting this opera, and that this premiere is a continuation of the festival's commitment to showcasing iconic works. In fact, the festival's dedication to bringing modern operatic masterpieces to China goes back to 2002, when Berg's other renowned opera, Lulu, had its Chinese premiere at the festival.

"The opera's Chinese premiere not only marks a new chapter in the festival's history, but also reflects the ongoing growth of the Chinese audience's appreciation for contemporary music and opera," she said.

One of the most compelling aspects of this performance was the return of Dutoit, the legendary conductor, who, at the age of 89, led the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Despite his advanced age, Dutoit's energy and presence were undiminished.

Dutoit had expressed a strong desire to conduct Wozzeck in Beijing after his previous appearance at the festival conducting French composer Hector Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust (The Damnation of Faust) in 2019. This performance marked his third time conducting in China, a country he has long had an affinity for.

He described Wozzeck as "a perfect masterpiece in the world of music," noting that Berg spent seven years composing it. He emphasized the opera's importance, equating its influence to that of Bach's fugue compositions.

"Every student of music must study this opera," Dutoit said, "Its significance is as profound as any work in music history."

The conductor also expressed his admiration for China, which he called "one of my favorite places." This performance, he notes, was his 39th visit to the country, highlighting the special connection he feels to the Chinese audience.

The director, Johan Simons, took a unique approach to this staging of Wozzeck, which he said was his fourth time working with the opera. This was his first time directing the opera as a full-scale operatic production.