The story is based on real-life events and tells of a famous actress’s tragic love affair, where treachery, politics, and intrigue intertwine, culminating in murder.

About the production, director Marta Aliide Jakovski says: “The plot of the opera “Adriana Lecouvreur” is based on a true story, where the intrigue began when a talented young actress was found dead. The director Michonnet, who has secretly loved Adriana all along, plays through different scenes in his head to come to terms with his fate. What is the relationship between reality and illusion? At what moment does illusion become reality and vice versa?”

“Adriana Lecouvreur” is an undeservedly underperformed opera. According to Musical Director Erki Pehk: “It’s difficult to guess the reason, as this indisputable masterpiece by Cilea is fast-paced, with memorable main themes and emotionally exceptionally captivating. True, the opera’s leading roles are vocally very demanding and the plot is quite complicated, and it’s also possible that the popular and successful Puccini still draws greater attention to himself as a contemporary… But if one allows themselves to be enchanted by our excellent young singers and carried away by Cilea’s expressive music, then the composer’s genius is also revealed, and this opera will certainly become a favorite for many.”

Set designer Madis Nurms says that the visual world is this time indirectly inspired by 1980s television dramas. “This opera’s structure has much in common with them: a dizzying series of events, power games, complex relationships and emotional confrontations. In both worlds, events are driven by strong female characters whose lives revolve between public image and secret feelings. The stage design is permeated by the motif of a gilded cage, which symbolizes the life of both the admired actress and the aristocrats: abundant and privileged, yet at the same time bound by social constraints. What is permitted for the bull is not permitted for Jupiter…”

Photos: Eglė Kngauskaitė-Liakienė

Brief synopsis: Among actress Adriana Lecouvreur’s admirers is also Michonnet, the stage director of Comédie-Française, who cannot reveal his feelings to her because Adriana’s heart belongs to Count Maurizio of Saxony. Maurizio, who is enchanted by the actress, must however free himself from his former lover, Princess de Bouillon. Adriana suspects that Maurizio’s feelings for the princess are unchanged, while the princess realizes that the man intends to abandon her. When the princess understands who her rival is, she sends Adriana a bouquet of poisoned violets as a “gift.” Adriana dies in Maurizio’s arms, accompanied by the anguish of Michonnet, who has sacrificed his own happiness so that Adriana and Maurizio could be together.

Those who have been familiar with PromFest activities before know that what makes PromFest productions special are the young singers who participate in the Klaudia Taev Competition. According to the competition rules, the winner has the privilege of choosing the opera for the next festival. The bold choice of 2023 competition winner, Lithuanian soprano Gabrielė Bukinė, allows our opera lovers to experience this rare Italian opera.

Musical theater enthusiasts are in for a treat!

𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: