Leon Botstein Revitalizes Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophète” at Bard College’s SummerScape Festival

Leon Botstein, president of Bard College and music director of the American Symphony Orchestra, has once again made headlines with his ambitious revival of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophète.” This grand opera, which had not been performed in a major U.S. production since the late 1970s, opened at Bard’s SummerScape festival to much acclaim.

Botstein’s dedication to resurrecting neglected works is well-documented. With “Le Prophète,” he seeks to shed new light on a composer whose reputation has faded over time. “There is no composer in the history of classical music and opera whose posthumous career has been so startlingly destroyed as Meyerbeer,” Botstein stated. The production aims to offer audiences a fresh perspective on Meyerbeer’s once-celebrated music.

The Sosnoff Theater at Bard College, with its 900-seat capacity, provided an intimate yet grand setting for the opera. Director Christian Räth modernized the 16th-century story, drawing parallels to contemporary issues of demagoguery and religious extremism. “The piece unfortunately feels very, very modern and rings a lot of bells for today,” Räth commented.

One of the highlights of this production is Botstein’s meticulous attention to historical authenticity. Collaborating with musicologist Mark Everist, Botstein restored the 11-minute overture that Meyerbeer had originally cut. However, due to practical considerations, the third-act ballet was omitted, with excerpts presented in the lobby during intermissions.

The cast featured notable talents such as tenor Robert Watson as Jean, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Feinstein as Fidès, and soprano Amina Edris as Berthe. Under Botstein’s baton, the American Symphony Orchestra delivered a powerful performance, bringing Meyerbeer’s intricate score to life.

Leon Botstein’s efforts at Bard College continue to challenge conventional programming, ensuring that forgotten operatic gems are given their due spotlight. His work not only revitalizes these compositions but also fosters a deeper appreciation of classical music’s rich history.

As SummerScape looks ahead to future seasons, audiences can anticipate more rare and underappreciated works, thanks to Botstein’s relentless pursuit of musical excellence.