Leon Botstein Champions Revival of Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophète” at Bard College
Leon Botstein, president of Bard College and the music director of the American Symphony Orchestra, is spearheading a significant revival of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s overlooked opera, “Le Prophète.” This production, part of the Bard SummerScape festival, marks the first major U.S. staging of the opera since the late 1970s.
“Le Prophète” premiered on Friday at Bard’s 900-seat Sosnoff Theater and will run through August 4th. The opera, set in the 16th century, has been reimagined for contemporary audiences by director Christian Räth. The narrative, dealing with themes of demagoguery and religious fanaticism, strikes a chord with modern societal issues.
Leon Botstein has long been committed to the revival of neglected works. He believes that Meyerbeer’s compositions have unjustly fallen into obscurity due to changing tastes and the rise of realism in opera. “There is no composer in the history of classical music and opera whose posthumous career has been so startlingly destroyed as Meyerbeer,” Botstein asserts.
The production features tenor Robert Watson as Jean, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Feinstein as Fidès, and soprano Amina Edris as Berthe. Botstein himself conducts the American Symphony Orchestra, bringing his expertise and passion for Meyerbeer’s music to the fore. This revival aligns with Botstein’s philosophy of challenging established norms and providing a platform for undervalued musical works.
Musicologist Mark Everist collaborated with Botstein to restore the opera’s original 11-minute overture, which had been cut during rehearsals in Meyerbeer’s time. Although the third-act ballet was omitted due to practical constraints, excerpts are presented in the lobby during intermissions, offering audiences a glimpse of the complete work.
Leon Botstein’s efforts at Bard College have garnered attention for their dedication to musical scholarship and innovation. His knack for discovering and nurturing new talent is evident in past SummerScape productions, such as the 2009 staging of Meyerbeer’s “Les Huguenots,” which featured rising stars Erin Morley and Michael Spyres.
As “Le Prophète” continues its run, audiences are invited to reassess Meyerbeer’s legacy and appreciate the timeless relevance of his work. With Botstein at the helm, Bard College remains a beacon for the rediscovery and celebration of forgotten operatic treasures.