Andrea Chenier

Conducted by Andrea Battistoni and staged by director John Dew, a dramatic operatic experience unfolds in the shadow of the French Revolution.

Historical subject matter meets musical pathos

ANDREA CHÉNIER is set in Paris during Robespierre's Reign of Terror. It tells the true story of the poet André Chénier, whose liberal ideas lead to his fall under the wheels of the revolution.


At its center is a tragic love triangle:

Chénier, the impoverished noblewoman Maddalena di Coigny, and the revolutionary prosecutor Carlo Gérard, once a servant in Maddalena's house and now a powerful official. Their fates intertwine between poetry, power, and sacrifice – culminating in a dramatic execution as a shattering finale.


A revolutionary opera with musical power

Giordano's composition combines the naturalistic style of verismo with quotations from famous revolutionary songs such as the Marseillaise, Ça ira, and Carmagnole. The score is peppered with expressive arias, including Chénier's famous "Un dì all'azzurro spazio" and Maddalena's poignant aria "La mamma morta." Giordano portrays characters with emotional depth – the audience experiences firsthand the arc of tension between hope, fear, and passion.


A rarely performed masterpiece – rediscovered

Although ANDREA CHÉNIER is less frequently performed than Puccini's works, it is considered one of the most powerful operas of the era. John Dew's production emphasizes the inner relevance of the story – without forcing the work into the present. The setting remains historically based in the revolutionary milieu, but the themes of social inequality, abuse of power, and idealistic love continue to resonate today.


Cast and Production Team

• Conductor: Andrea Battistoni
  
• Director: John Dew
  
• Starring: Martin Muehle, Roman Burdenko, Maria Motolygina, and others
  

Duration: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes / One intermission


Sung in Italian with German and English surtitles