On Sunday, conductor David Parry opened the season at Oper Wuppertal with an extraordinary new production of Tales of Hoffman. A new edition was created specifically for this performance, and each of the four acts was staged by a different director (Charles Edwards, Nigel Lowery, Christopher Alden and Inga Levant), united by Parry and his orchestra in the pit.
This production also marks the beginning of a new era at Oper Wuppertal, where Berthold Schneider and Julia Jones have just taken up the posts of Intendant and General Music Director respectively.
The opening night performance won standing ovations and reviewers agreed that the orchestra under Parry was in excellent shape:
“The final apotheosis, for instance, is a feast for the ears. Conductor David Parry is mindful of the action on stage, is very attentive and breathing with the musicians. He guides through the evening with vigorous tempi. The Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal plays the music with a lot of nuance.”
Hartmut Sassenhausen, Westdeutsche Zeitung
“David Parry in the pit presses forward tirelessly and coaxes delicate colours out of the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal. In every regard a tremendous opening to the season.”
Hamburger Abendblatt
“David Parry and the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal play the highly romantic barcarolle sensitively… The Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal under conductor David Parry deliver the musical side of things outstandingly, supporting the score, the drama and the surreal charm of the High Romantic work with filigree allure and mighty climaxes.”
Viktor Jarosch, IOCO Kultur im Netz
Conductor David Parry held it all together with his taut tempi and sensual accents.
Stefan Keim, Deutschlandradio Kultur
“The Wuppertaler Sinfonieorchester played with an inspiration it has not shown in a long time.”
Pedro Obiera, Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung
“For this [the premiere of Tales of Hoffman] David Parry had been engaged as the conductor; his expertise is not least demonstrated by his recordings for Opera Rara. This makes a noticeable impact on the orchestra, which played flexibly and with beautiful sound… it has been a long time since we heard this orchestra play with such precision and flexibility.”
Christoph Zimmermann, Der Opernfreund
“David Parry and the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal captures Offenbach freshness.”
Thomas Molke, Online Musik Magazin
“Out of countless versions and editions, the renowned British conductor David Parry has compiled his own one ... which he presents lively, with security and to great effect.”
Andreas Falentin, Concerti
Performances run until mid-December. Click here to watch a trailer.
