Hamlet

Ambroise Thomas

Tickets

Monika Rittershaus

William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, a late 19th-century French opera that is as poetic as it is grandiose, takes an intimate look into the inner turmoil of its main characters, Hamlet and Ophélie.

Just two weeks after the king dies, the widow Gertrude marries the late king’s brother Claudius. Hamlet, son of the king, refuses to attend the festivities, upset that his mother has remarried so soon. Ophélie, his lover, is disturbed by his inconsistent behavior. Is he going mad? Does he no longer love her? The ghost of his deceased father reveals to Hamlet that the new king, Claudius, was actually his murderer. Whipped into a frenzy by thoughts of revenge, Hamlet defies the power structure of the court.

Ambroise Thomas’ lyrical drama Hamlet explores the souls of the characters, with a poetic and complex musical language, culminating in the aria expressing Ophélie’s madness. Director Nadja Loschky stages this opera, which offers everything from eerie graveyard encounters, to pleasurable dances, to intimate and musically graceful scenes, with great musical sensitivity as a finely tuned study of society.

By the way
William Shakespeare’s dramas have been interpreted by numerous composers over the centuries. More of them can be experienced in the symphony concert To be or not to be?.

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ACT 1

The old king has been dead barely two months when his widow Gertrude marries his brother, the new king Claudius. Hamlet is against his mother’s premature marriage and plans to leave the court. However, Ophélie persuades Hamlet to stay and they pledge their eternal love. Ophélie’s brother Laërte entrusts Hamlet with his sister as he has been called up for military service. When all leave for the wedding ceremony of the new royal couple, Hamlet remains behind.

Marcellus and Horatio report to Hamlet that they have seen the ghost of the late king. At midnight, as expected, it reappears and tells Hamlet he was poisoned by Claudius and Gertrude. The ghost demands Hamlet take revenge on Claudius. But he should spare his mother.

ACT 2

Ophélie is distressed by Hamlet’s increasing emotional distance and considers entering a convent. Queen Gertrude urges Ophélie to stay in order to bring Hamlet to his senses. Secretly, Gertrude fears that Hamlet knows the truth about the former king’s death. Hamlet has his father’s murder staged as a dumb show at the court, to expose Claudius and Gertrude as the murderers. Hamlet believes Claudius’ pale face betrays his guilt. In the ensuing tumult the king rushes out.

ACT 3

Hamlet reflects on life and death: to be or not to be? Claudius appears; Hamlet hides and discovers that Ophélie’s father Polonius was an accomplice and knew about the murder. Gertrude presents Hamlet to his bride Ophélie. Hamlet, tormented by what he now knows of her father, rejects Ophélie and breaks off the engagement. Gertrude attempts to bring her son to reason, but he accuses her of murder. The Ghost appears and reminds Hamlet to spare his mother.

ACTS 4 AND 5

Ophélie has left the palace. Distraught by Hamlet’s rejection, she becomes delusional and kills herself. Hamlet reproaches himself for how he has behaved towards Ophélie. As yet, he knows nothing of her death. Laërte appears and accuses Hamlet of only having pretended to love her. He challenges Hamlet to a fight, but they are interrupted by a funeral procession approaching. Claudius, Gertrude and the whole court are in attendance. When the dead body is uncovered, Hamlet recognises Ophélie. He says the murder plot is responsible for her death too, and is about to kill himself when the Ghost appears and exhorts his son to exact revenge. Hamlet kills Claudius and is proclaimed the new king.

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Opera in Five Acts [1868]
Libretto by Michel Carré and Jules Barbier

Trailer

French

3 hr 27 min incl. intermission