The recent production of Fidelio at the Opéra National de Bordeaux, directed by Valentina Carrasco, has been widely praised, particularly for Joseph Swensen’s direction of the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine.
Le Monde described Swensen as having “an immensely expressive face, between trance and ecstasy,” adding that he “stirs an incandescent fire beneath Beethoven’s simmering pot,” capturing both the dramatic force and emotional nuance of the score.
Swensen’s decision to end with the Leonore III overture was called “a stroke of genius” (ClassiqueNews), giving the opera a clear, universal conclusion.
Transfuge described the final scene—with the orchestra, singers, and citizen-figurants holding candles as the Declaration of the Rights of Man was projected—as “a rare moment of collective reflection.” The audience impact was visible, with Olyrix reporting “sustained, rhythmic applause” and “an especially strong ovation for the conductor.”