This fall, Gilbert conducts Berg’s Wozzeck in the Swedish premiere of a new co-production with Opéra de Lyon. Created by Lyon’s general and artistic director Richard Brunel, who sets the action between the two world wars, this stars Peter Mattei and Malin Byström (Nov 16–Dec 14), reuniting Gilbert with the baritone after their acclaimed Royal Swedish Opera collaboration on Parsifal this past spring; Opera magazine reports:
“Musically, the performance was outstanding. This was Gilbert’s first Parsifal, but he guided the orchestra, soloists and chorus through the work as if he’s been doing it for years, superbly, balanced throughout.”
Gilbert considers Wozzeck one of the greatest masterpieces for the operatic stage, noting: “It’s extremely precise but also tremendously expressive – a perfect balance of intellect and soul.”
Premiered in 1925, Alban Berg’s Wozzeck is one of the landmark operas of the 20th century. Based on an unfinished play by Georg Büchner, and on Berg’s own wartime experiences, the opera is a searing depiction of the degradation and demise of a poor soldier and his descent into violence and madness. Berg adapted the libretto himself, writing to his wife, “There is a little bit of me in his character, … spending these war years just as dependent on people I hate, … in chains, sick, captive, resigned, … humiliated.”
As Conductor Laureate of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Gilbert conducts the composer’s Second Symphony, “The Four Temperaments” (Nov 20 & 21), and for his debut with Prague’s Czech Philharmonic, his interpretations of the Helios Overture and Third Symphony flank the Schumann Piano Concerto, with Gilmore Artist Kirill Gerstein as soloist (Dec 18–20).
Gilbert returns to the Stockholm house in 2025, leading productions of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (Jan 25–March 20) and Wagner’s Die Walküre (March 22–April 21); more details to be announced soon. A major player on the opera scene, he has helmed productions at legendary houses worldwide, including Milan’s La Scala and New York’s Metropolitan Opera, where his account of Doctor Atomic was filmed, released on DVD, and recognized with a Grammy Award.