A turbulent tale of a 4th-century Egyptian monk's relationship with the courtesan he sets out to save, Massenet's opera Thaïs is an engrossing portrait of romantic and religious love.
Written for a virtuoso soprano and baritone, the opera became an immediate popular sensation at its 1894 premiere in Paris. Thaïs contains some of Massenet's most luminous and lyrical music including the great violin solo, ‘the Meditation', which exquisitely evokes the crisis of conscience and conversion to Christianity of the heroine Thaïs at the climax of the opera. Read more …
Erin Wall, returning to the Festival after the triumph of her performance in Mahler's Symphony No 8 in 2010, and Quinn Kelsey, making his Festival debut, take the leading roles with a distinguished cast under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis.
Usher Hall, Edinburgh from Thursday August 18, 2011. More info: www.usherhall.co.uk