Director
David Pountney

Performers
Macbeth : Thomas Hampson
Lady Macbeth : Paoletta Marrocu
Banquo : Roberto Scandiuzzi
Macduff : Luis Lima
Lady-in-waiting to Lady Macbeth: Liuba Chuchrova
Malcolm: Miroslav Christoff
Doctor: Peter Kolmon

The Orchestra and Chorus of Zurich Opera House
Franz Welser-Möst (conductor)


For this great early opera, Verdi demanded from his librettist Francesco Maria Piave a text that would have extravagance, originality, brevity and sublimity. The plot of Shakespeare's bloody tragedy was concentrated with sharp, fast-moving clarity and the composer wrote music that amazed audiences and critics with its expression of despair and ferocity. Right from the outset, the opera is characterised by chilling atmospherics. Vivid and theatrical, it is a piece that demands superlative dramatic skills from the principal protagonists.

American baritone Thomas Hampson made a triumphant debut in the title role of Verdi's early masterpiece in this July 2001 Zurich Opera production, with Paoletta Marrocu as his beautiful, power-hungry wife.

Macbeth is a role Hampson is especially suited to sing and he looks set to be one of the definitive interpreters of his generation. His pairing with rising star Marrocu proved to be mesmerising, with both singers' peerless vocal performances matched by their compelling characterisation of the murderous couple. A tall man with an imposing physique, the American baritone is every inch the ambitious and charismatic warrior, while soprano Marrocu is the incarnation of the seductive vamp with steel in her soul. The tension and control of her descent into madness makes it a totally chilling portrayal of despair.

In David Pountney's hard-edged, post-modern production, with sets by Stefanos Lazaridis and costumes by Marie-Jeanne Lecca, the duality of man and woman is constantly brought into question. This Macbeth is not just a story about the usurpation of a crown with supernatural intervention; it resonates with symbolic references to the battle of the sexes and throws into sharp relief the link between power and gender.

A strong supporting cast includes Roberto Scandiuzzi as Banquo and Luis Lima as Macduff. Conductor Franz Welser-Möst draws a top quality performance from the Zurich Opera Orchestra.

Synopsis
Act I: Macbeth and Banquo come across three witches who predict Macbeths ascension to the Scottish throne but address Banquo as the father of kings. At Dunsinane, Lady Macbeth reads a letter relating the witches prophecy but questions her husband's ambition. When Macbeth and King Duncan arrive she persuades her husband that Duncan must be killed. Spurred on by a vision of a bloody dagger, he carries out the deed. Macduff and Banquo discover the murder.

Act II: Macbeth is crowned king and, remembering the witches' prophecy, he orders the murder of Banquo and his son Fleance. Banquo is killed but Fleance escapes. During a banquet, Macbeth is haunted by a vision of Banquo. Macduff leaves to join the Scottish exiles.

Act III: Macbeth returns to the witches and demands to know his future. They warn him against Macduff but reassure him that not until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane need he fear for his life and that he will be invulnerable to any man born of woman.

Act IV: Macduff is horrified to hear of the murder of his family and swears revenge. In the castle at Dunsinane, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, remembering the murders she and her husband have committed. News of her death is brought to Macbeth who, lost in guilt, is unmoved. The exiles advance on the castle, camouflaged by branches from Birnam Wood and Macduff tells Macbeth that he was from his mother's womb untimely ripped. Realising all is lost, the tyrant falls to Macduff's sword.