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Do you smell the odor of death that rises?

Do you smell the odor of death that rises?

Wajdi Mouawad directs Pelléas et Mélisande in Paris (****½) [stream]

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Jos Hermans
Mar 23, 2025
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Leidmotief | Leitmotif
Leidmotief | Leitmotif
Do you smell the odor of death that rises?
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Sabine Devieilhe as Mélisande © Benoite Fanton | OnP

The core of Pelléas et Mélisande is a love triangle shrouded in mystery and unanswered questions. It is indebted to Richard Wagner's musical language as much as to the laws of symbolist theater. Those open to both can find their way to the soul of Debussy's masterpiece. While the synergy between the vocal performances and Debussy's score is assured with Sabine Devieilhe, Gordon Bintner and Huw Montague Rendall, the Paris Opera once again delivers a near-perfect staging that could not have been more different in its scenic elaboration from Robert Wilson's legendary 1997 production.

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