Tragedy of a friendship, or the story of ‘‘an idyll that ends in hell” (Jan Fabre). The idyll? It is born of the friendship, under the banner of greatness, between a composer of genius and a charismatic philosopher. The first meeting between Wagner and Nietzsche, in Lucerne, sealed the mutual admiration of the two men. Then Nietzsche discovered Bayreuth and Parsifal. This led to a period of doubt and the first cracks in his admiration for a man ‘‘bogged down in the distractions of Teutonic mysticism”. The friendship would eventually turn to hatred. Tragedy of a friendship poses the question of the relationship between artist and intellectual: fecund, intense, but also hazardous. Does it not ever run the risk of turning to jealousy, in this projection that desires that which is of the other, ultimately coming to hate the other, deeply, irremediably?

On the occasion of the 2013 bicentennial of Wagner’s birth, the Lille Opera has associated itself with this commission from the Vlaamse Opera to open this unique work to the French public. Designed by Jan Fabre, one of the most striking avant-garde artists of our time, this creation brings to the stage singers and performers fully enthralled in the power of the Wagnerian music.

Concept, direction and scenography Jan Fabre
Music by Richard Wagner (1813-1883) and Moritz Eggert (born en 1965)
Creation may 2013 at Flanders Opera
Text Stefan Hertmans
Dramaturgy Miet Martens
Vocals Lies Vandewege, Hans Peter Janssens
Performers Nikolaus Barton, Annabelle Chambon, Cédric Charron, Ivana Jozic, Gustav Koenigs, Silke Muys, Anne Pajunen, Kurt Vanden­driessche, Fabienne Vegt, Solène Weinachter
Orchestra recording Symfonisch Orkest van de Vlaamse Opera
Musical ensemble Nico Declerck, Jadranka Gasparovic, Lydia Kavina
Costumes Andrea Kränzlin
Assistant costumes, décor Kasia Mielczarek
Assistant scenography Bert Heytens
Light Jan Dekeyser, Helmut Van den Meersschaut
Video Pablo Casella
Video, effects stolpen Luca Brinchi, Roberta Zanardo, Santasangre
Sound Tom Buys
Technical coordination Arne Lievens
Production manager Ilka De Wilde

Coproduction Flanders Opera, Antwerpen / Concertgebouw, Brugge / Holland Festival, Amsterdam / Opéra de Lille / Théâtre de la Ville, Paris /

Performance in partnership with l’Association pour la danse contemporaine, ADC

SA 23 NOVEMBER 5:30 P.M.
CITÉ-PHILO
Philosophical encounter about the performance, in partnership with Cité-Philo.
Program available in september.
Free entrance on reservation at +33 (0)820 48 9000 or billetterie@opera-lille.fr

SU 24 NOVEMBER
WORKSHOP
With Annabelle Chambon, interpreter of the Jan Fabre’s company, for professionnal dancers and advanced non-professionnal.
In partnership with La Rose des Vents.
Prices : 30 € / 15 €, performance ticket included.
Enrolment : groupes@opera-lille.fr

MO 25 NOVEMBER
RENCONTRE
AVEC L’ÉQUIPE ARTISTIQUE
after the representation.
Free entrance.

AT THE PALAIS DES BEAUX-ARTS OF LILLE
EXPOSITION ILLUMINATIONS
from 18th oct. to 6th jan. 2014
Works by Jan Fabre converse with miniatures, objects or art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Creation by Jan Fabre for the atrium.
Reduced price with the ticket of Tragedy : 4 €.

LES SOIRS DE SPECTACLE
RESTAURATION ET BAR À LA ROTONDE
From 6:30 p.m. and after the representation.