“Getting down to the great opera repertoire in an amusing and casual way - if one company has a patent on it, it is musical theatre WALPURGIS. Previously, La Monnaie has had them as guests for, among others, the fairy tale operas Princess Turandot and Fidelio and the libretto reading by Daphne. This season, they cut their teeth with great curiosity and infectious pleasure in playing another libretto, that of Lucio Silla. Mozart's opera is served up bluntly and with a wink by singers and actors who understand the art of improvisation. They stage the spoken text and season here and there with sung fragments. An ideal introduction to the real opera, which premieres two weeks later.”
Seasonal brochure The Mint, 2017-2018

“An experience that can be an eye-opener for any audience member, young layman or experienced opera viewer.”
Evelyne Coussens, Etcetera - 18.12.2017

Interview with Judith Vindevogel
Radio station Klara, Happy Hour (from minute 25:50) - 15.09.2017

“This is not a FENIKS FESTIVAL”
The World Tomorrow - 8.09.2017

Silla Revisited in the top 3 of the week from BRUZZ - 12.10.2017

Public comments

“I found it very strong in form and approach and a lot of fun to watch... Lots of gameplay. Has given me new inspiration again... Nice gang!”
Barbara Claes, Lucinda Ra

“Intelligent and humorous reading with fine actors and singers.”
Axel De Schrijver

“Engaging, witty and fine approach. Exposed and stripped of all frills but where you also feel the power of emotions flowing through. Fine actors and good musicians.”
Ina Geerts, actress and singer

“Performance absolutely enjoyed! Fine mix on ’t stage, worked really well.”
Christa Criel, pOdiumkunsten.be

“Super nice way to do a text reading.”
Haider Al Timimi, Beating Deer

“Enormously enjoyed the acting, the humour, the singing.”
Fabienne Dragonetti

“I really enjoyed it! It was a party as well as a great intro for young people facing opera for the first time.’
Mieja Hollevoet, theatre maker and costume design teacher

“Dear Judith, thank you for the beautiful performance. Wonderful how you do it every year!”
Evelien Bosmans, actress

Interview with Judith Vindevogel

What is a libretto reading anyway?
“During a libretto reading, the primary focus is on the libretto of an opera, i.e. the text that forms its theatrical basis. Prima le parole so en poi la musica. This is also why the cast is predominantly made up of actors. As in a concert performance of an opera, they ‘play’ their roles with the score in their hands. Some characters in the opera are played by both an actor and a singer. This is interesting, for instance, when a character is torn between conflicting feelings or thoughts. In this way, that inner conflict can also be made visible on stage. Furthermore, music makes it possible to add other nuances, magnify certain emotions, nuance a thought or add a second layer to it. In doing so, it often also proves the genius of the composer. Indeed, good composers are able to transform the most banal thoughts in such a way that they still gain a certain depth. What I personally find particularly interesting about libretto readings is that the actors are not conditioned by the tempo, phrasing and dynamics imposed by the composer. This is why, in a way, libretto readings work so liberating and become accessible to the uninitiated. Because the text is disconnected from the music, the actors can ’de-discover’ the text on the spot, so to speak. It is this improvisational, playful nature that makes the libretto readings so special and usually makes for some hilarious moments.”

How does such a libretto reading arise?
“First I read the score and the text several times in succession, then I start dramaturgical preparation and choose the musical excerpts I want to use. Then I put together the cast and make a translation that is contemporary and easy on the palate.”

How many artists are collaborating on Silla Revisited?
“Usually, for a libretto reading, there are about 10 of us: about five actors, about three singers and one or two musicians. I try to find a nice balance between people I've worked with before and people I've never worked with before. For the French-language version of Silla revisited I am very much looking forward to the first collaboration with Ivan Pecnik, Pierre Laneyrie and the actors of the Raoul Collectif. I also hope to work with some young singers from the MM Academy.”

Linda Lovrovic, MM Magazine, Sept 2017