With sold-out performances, De bekeerlinge, the opera by Wim Henderickx and Krystian Lada based on the novel of the same name by Stefan Hertmans and directed by Hans Op De Beeck, was an unprecedented success for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. From June 18, the production can be viewed for free on OperaVision.
8,325 visitors enjoyed De bekeerlinge in Antwerpen and Gent. This makes this new opera the most successful creation in Opera Ballet Vlaanderen's past twenty years. (For enthusiasts: Rumor (2012) ranks second with 6,882 visitors).
In De bekeerlinge we follow the perilous adventure of a noble Christian maiden from the eleventh century, Vigdis, and her forbidden love for the young rabbi David. Hunted by everyone, Vigdis and David end up in a topsy-turvy world of pogroms, crusades and religious fanaticism.
Not only did the audience give standing ovations at every performance, the press also saw in De bekeerlinge 'a landmark in Flemish music history,' according to Klassiek Centraal. 'What a successful tour de force this man composed!,' Knack enthused about Wim Henderickx's score. 'Music and image form a strong alliance in a moving production,' said De Tijd, and the specialized medium Nieuwe Noten praised Hans Op De Beeck's spectacular and multi-layered direction with the words '(he) directed this spectacle brilliantly, constantly reminding us that this opera is of course not at all about the eleventh century. This is about us, now, here.'
Belgian soprano Lore Binon, who played the lead role of Vigdis, also delivered an unforgettable performance. 'So far the best role of her career,' according to Knack, and Opera Online crowned her 'La Superlative'.
Those who wish to relive the performance, apart from missing out on a ticket or having cold feet about contemporary opera, can watch De bekeerlinge from June 18 on OperaVision, the streaming platform for opera. The performance will be available free of charge for six months.
Besides Lore Binon, we see the German-Italian baritone Vincenzo Neri as David, the Algerian soprano Amel Brahim-Djelloul as the Chaperone, the French singer Françoise Atlan as Lutgardis, the Spanish tenor Daniel Arnaldos as Celebrant, the South African baritone Luvuyo Mbundu as Rabbi Obadiah and the German bass Guido Jentjens finally performs the role of Gudbrandr.
The Symfonisch Orkest Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Koor Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and the Stadskoor are conducted by Koen Kessels.