Another loss for Barcelona
mainThe Teatro Liceu in Barcelona is about to advertise internationally for an artistic director.
Christina Scheppelmann, in charge since 2014, will finish in 2020. Her highlights have been Benvenuto Cellini directed by Terry Gilliam, Tristan und Isolde by Àlex Ollé (La Fura), and Andrea Chénier with Jonas Kaufmann, Sondra Radvanovsky and Carlos Álvarez.
she is not such a huge loss as there were horrible productions like the opening of Puritani this year. Another German educated with simply horrible taste – they might find a good successor
Although I agree with Tristan’s opinion of the new Puritani production at the Liceu, artistic administrators of the calibre of Christina Scheppelmann are few and far between. Not only does she come with huge experience on both sides of the Atlantic (and the Gulf) her knowledge of singers and conductors is daunting – not to mention her formidable linguistic skills and personal charm. The word on the Ramblas is that it was not her desire to leave but rather an ill-advised decision by the new Intendant who in ‘new broom’ mode, actually disposed of his most valuable asset.
One can’t imagine the ROH without Peter Katona’s casting expertise or Toni Gradsack’s similar skills at La Scala. The fact that her departure was announced shortly after the death of Montserrat Caballé was a double blow to the morale and éclat of the Gran Teatre. This is a sad loss for the illustrious Liceu and augurs very poorly for Spain’s preëminent opera house.