TIME Magazine Features Opera Twins Christopher and David Alden

"Known for their audacious, pro- vocative takes on masterpieces, identical-twin opera directors Christopher and David Alden have been at the pinnacle of their field for three decades. 'It is strange,' says David, 'to have someone else in the world who looks just like you and does the same thing you do, and often with the same people, but never at the same time.' Or, for that matter, on the same continent Christopher is based in New York City, David in London, and both are in constant demand all over the world. This year, however, both Aldens are taking on high-profile assignments Stateside: Christopher with Don Giovanni for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, David with Un Ballo in Maschera for New York City's Metropolitan Opera House. The brothers grew up in Manhattan, sons of playwright Jerome Alden and ballerina Barbara Gaye, who, while pregnant, danced in the original production of Annie Get Your Gun starring Ethel Merman. 'That probably explains why we became who we are,' Christopher says. 'All of Merman's screaming prepared us to spend our lives around opera singers.' Immersed in theater and classical music from childhood, they were drawn to opera for its combination of the two art forms. By their teens, they were 'fanatical standees' (David's phrase) at the old Metropolitan Opera house." [Source]

Christopher Alden Sets the Record Straight About "Rigoletto"

Ekaterina Sadovnikova as Gilda and Quinn Kelsey as Rigoletto in
the Canadian Opera Company production. (Photo: Michael Cooper)

"One of the busiest opera directors on the international opera circuit today, Christopher Alden was in Toronto this September for the rehearsals of the new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Canadian Opera Company. His creative team chose to set the work in the period in which Verdi composed the opera. The Chicago Lyric Opera decided not to revive this production due to donor pressure, but Toronto audiences seem to be more open to innovative readings of the old operatic mainstays. The new Rigoletto premiered at the COC on Sept. 29 and will be on stage until Oct. 22." The revealing interview by Tandem's Lydia Perovic goes on to discuss topics such as the director's rule for adapting the Rigoletto production for modern time, the environment of arts organizations in the United States, how music dictates his directing, his view of why so women die in opera, whether Italy has conservative views on new productions and whether or not there has been an opera too challenging for him to conceptualize. Read the whole story here.

Side note: The Lyric Opera of Chicago replaced the Alden production in 2006 with a more traditional approach led by director Stefano Vizioli.

Christopher Alden's "Partenope" Brings Händel To New Heights

"One of Handel's lightest and frothiest pieces, this forgotten gem sparkles under the direction of Christopher Alden." The Daily Telegraph

The American director brings his production of Händel's Partenope to Opera Australia with soprano Emma Matthews taking on the title role. The cast also includes Jacqueline Dark, Catherine Carby, Christopher Field, Kanen Breen and Richard Alexander. Christian Curnyn is conducting. Performances will be March 23, 26, 28 and 31.

"As Partenope, soprano Emma Matthews delivered another triumphant performance. Her opening aria was a stunning coloratura showpiece, displaying breathtaking agility and clarity of articulation. Matthews was secure, flexible and controlled across her tessitura, conveying her character's curious mix of teasing superficiality and emotional honesty." The Australian

Watch a video of excerpts from Emma Matthews' CD of arias. Click image to purchase CD

"Emma Matthews makes a triumphant return to baroque repertoire with her role debut as the alluring but wise Partenope. A cascade of blissful arias and ensembles show Handel at his most inventive, exploring voices from bass to contralto to countertenor, while the orchestra conjures up the crash and dazzle of battles in love and war."
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