Typical of the idiosyncrasy of this impressive production is the very last scene: Lulu is visibly stabbed to the audience, after which her murderer (Jack the Ripper) disappears from the stage with the words: "You won't be making it long either." This text makes no sense in this production. Countess Geschwitz, to whom the words should be addressed, has disappeared behind the stage in this production
… to sing her Liebestod (Lulu! Mein Engel!). Director Vera Nemirova has thus manipulated the original staging here: what should take place in front of and behind the stage has been reversed here. As a viewer, you can object to such an intervention, but it does produce a strong image: the dead body of Lulu (who would otherwise have been behind the stage) on the high altar of decadence. You can certainly call this production of the Salzburger Festival 2010 controversial, but it was successful enough to be repeated in 2011. Patricia Petibon (Lulu) sometimes looks more like a clownish variety performer than a femme fatale. But it is precisely that sexlessness that gives something cramped and hysterical to her character. Also note the unintentional supporting role of composer Wolfgang Rihm, prior to the second act. (HJ)more
