Jean-Romain Vesperini, Director of Henri VIII at Bard SummerScape, Discusses the “Masterpiece” Opera on WAMC’s The Roundtable

Speaking with Sarah LaDuke on WAMC’s The Roundtable, Jean-Romain Vesperini, director of Henri VIII at Bard SummerScape, spoke about the Fisher Center production—the first fully-staged production of the opera in the United States. Saint-Saëns created the opera at a moment in France’s history when divorce was being legalized, Vesperini said, turning to English history in order to address the subject in an operatic form. “When you hear Henry VIII, of course you imagine something big, like a Hollywood opera. And of course it is,” Versperini said. “But it’s also an opera about psychology.” Saint-Saëns created the opera at the outset of the era of psychoanalysis, the influence of which is visible in the relationship between the opera’s characters, Vesperini says. Vesperini also discusses the rarity of productions of Henri VIII, and why he’s glad to see the opera get its due at SummerScape.

Post Date: 07-18-2023