mostly opera: David McVicar

Friday, 27 January 2012

David McVicar

DAVID MCVICAR

Scottish. Born 1966. Studied acting initially graduating from Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Detailed biographical information here.

Directorial approach:
Multilayered productions, often surprisingly traditional in the outlook, with opulent costumes (McVicars favourite period is the 18th Century) but come with a nasty twist. Reknowned for his direction of the singers. The relatively conventional appearance of his stagings make him "suitable" even for major houses with a preponderance towards traditional productions, such as Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Notable achievements in opera:
Breakthrough with Handel´s Giulio Cesare in Glyndebourne 2005 and he remains blosely associated with Glyndebourne Festival, where he directed Wagner´s Meistersinger in 2011. However, most closely he seems to be associated with the Royal Opera House (London), where he has staged (among others) Magic Flute, Rigoletto, Faust, Nozze di Figaro, Salome, Aida, Adriana Lecouvreur and Les Troyens. His Metropolitan Opera debut took place in 2009 with Il Trovatore and in 2013 he directe Maria Stuarda there. David McVicar staged the Nibelungen Ring 2010-12 in Strassbourg and his works may be seen in most major opera houses, Rarely in Germany, though as he expains below:

"No, it's horrible. And institutionalised. You have to fight against ineptitude, and arrogance, and stupidity." when asked about working in Germany

"I am good at what I do because I care so terribly much, and I do put so much into it, so much energy and so much love!.

Current and future productions: Full calendar of present and future productions.

DAVID MCVICAR - SELECTED PRODUCTIONS

Interview with David McVicar related to Giulio Cesare in Glyndebourne 2005, probably his international break-through: