Pelléas et Mélisande

Simon will sing Golaud in six performances of a new production of Pelléas et Mélisande by Romeo Castellucci at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, in April and May 2026.

The first night on 22 April will be broadcast live on Rai Radio 3 (Italy) - the performance starts at 20.000 hrs Italian time

For a limited time it is possible to listen again on Rai 3 - go to the link below. Click on the date 22.4 and scroll down to the opera at 20.00 hrs. You will need to be registered with Rai to listen.

Link to RaiPlaySound

The performance on 30 April will be broadcast live on La Scala TV. (Fee payable)

Link to La Scala TV

Preview:   airmail.news

SOUNDBITES

"Simon Keenlyside is a formidable Golaud, his purring oaken baritone exuding sadness and growling menace."

"Simon Keenlyside si conferma un artista straordinario, forse ha perso qualcosa nel proverbiale smalto del timbro, qua e là si percepisce, nell’emissione, un vibrato largo che denota un certo iniziale sforzo, ma la musicalità è tale per cui scolpisce di fino ogni parola, dandole colori e flessibilità incredibili. Così il suo Golaud, passa dal ritrarre un uomo rude, accogliente e paternalistico, un vecchio inquieto in definitiva, divorato da una nevrosi incontenibile e da una gelosia ossessiva senza pace, con scarti di rabbia fino al Fa diesis acuto ma illustrati pure da mezze voci ora taglienti ora allucinate."

""Simon Keenlyside confirms himself as an extraordinary artist. Perhaps he has lost something of the proverbial polish of his timbre. Here and there, one can perceive a broad vibrato in his delivery, denoting a certain initial effort, but his musicality is such that he finely sculpts each word, giving it incredible color and flexibility. Thus, his Golaud goes from portraying a rude, welcoming, and paternalistic man, ultimately a restless old man, consumed by an uncontrollable neurosis and an obsessive, restless jealousy, with glimpses of anger reaching a high F-sharp, but also illustrated by half-voices that are sometimes sharp, sometimes hallucinatory."

"..e che contrastano con la cupezza piena di ardore e di frustrazione del Golaud di quel grande artista che è Simon Keenlyside."

"..and which contrast with the gloom full of ardour and frustration of the Golaud of that great artist Simon Keenlyside.."

"Simon Keenlyside è un Golaud misuratissimo che evita qualsiasi brutalità."

"Simon Keenlyside is a very measured Golaud who avoids any brutality."

"Applausi per tutti, il soprano Sara Blanch, Bernard Richter, Simon Keenlyside, John Relyea, Marie-Nicole Lemieux."

"Applause for all - the soprano Sara Blanch, Bernard Richter, Simon Keenlyside, John Relyea, Marie-Nicole Lemieux."

"Après avoir été longtemps l’incarnation idéale de son demi-frère cadet, Simon Keenlyside s’est mué en Golaud voici dix ans. Non sans mal d’abord, pour en apprivoiser la tessiture plus grave, qui lui était tout sauf évidente. Les années passant et aidant, le baryton britannique, au français toujours limpide, se l’est appropriée, avec çà et là encore quelques baisses de régime, mais jamais de tension, de la voix autant que du corps et de l’expression. "

"After having long been the ideal embodiment of his younger half-brother, Simon Keenlyside transformed into Golaud ten years ago. It wasn't easy at first, as he struggled to master the deeper vocal range, which was anything but natural for him. With the passing years, the British baritone, whose French remains crystal clear, has made it his own, with occasional dips in form, but never any tension, whether in his voice, his body, or his expression."

"Cabe destacar en primer lugar a un Simon Keenlyside intensísimo en su encarnación del atormentado Golaud. "

"First and foremost, Simon Keenlyside's intense portrayal of the tormented Golaud deserves special mention."

"Vocalmente si distingue per incisività di fraseggio il Golaud di Simon Keenlyside che si dimostra padrone del ruolo e della scena."

"Vocally, Simon Keenlyside's Golaud stands out for his incisive phrasing and demonstrates mastery of the role and the stage."

"Sir Simon Keenlyside brought experience to the role of Golaud, with a warm, smooth baritone and superb phrasing, alongside a commanding stage presence."

"Equally outstanding was baritone Simon Keenlyside, who approached Golaud with the authority of a seasoned interpreter, fully conveying the complexity of a character torn between love, jealousy, and violence. The singer’s voice retained its homogeneity, power, and flexibility, along with an appealing dark timbre, while his incisive phrasing lent the character remarkable tragic intensity."

"Simon Keenlyside's Golaud benefited from the English baritone's vast theatrical experience, imbuing the prince with a tormented vigour and gnawing jealousy. His voice remained secure and even, and his acting and diction were exemplary."

"Genauso gestaltet das Solistenensemble mit großem Mut zum Deklamatorischen. Sara Blanch gibt der gequälten Seele der Mélisande physisch und stimmlich hochintensiven Ausdruck und findet in dem sich zugleich heldenhaft und jugendlich-schüchtern präsentierenden Bernard Richter das ideale Gegenüber. Als Gegenpart zu diesen beiden weißen, reinen und jungen Stimmen kann auch Simon Keenlyside seinen rat- und hilflosen Golaud ganz unforciert als verletzten und verzweifelten Mann gestalten. Die große Hingabe an den sprachlichen Duktus und Ausdruck ist bei allen Protagonisten auf beeindruckende Weise zu spüren, und das ist sicherlich auch ein Verdienst des Dirigenten. Bei John Relyea und Marie-Nicole Lemieux als altem Herrscherpaar bringt deren stimmliche Souveränität die königliche Würde und Strenge von selbst mit. Mailand bietet ein überzeugendes und homogenes Ensemble, das sich perfekt in die musikalisch-szenische Lesart einzufügen weiß und den mehr als dreistündigen Abend trägt."

"The ensemble of soloists, too, performs with great boldness in their dramatic delivery. Sara Blanch gives a physically and vocally highly intense portrayal of Mélisande’s tormented soul and finds her ideal counterpart in Bernard Richter, who presents himself as both heroic and youthfully shy. As a counterpart to these two pure, youthful voices, Simon Keenlyside is also able to portray his bewildered and helpless Golaud with complete naturalness as a wounded and desperate man. The great dedication to the linguistic style and expression is impressively evident in all the protagonists, and this is certainly also to the conductor’s credit. As the elderly royal couple, John Relyea and Marie-Nicole Lemieux bring a vocal mastery that naturally conveys royal dignity and severity. Milan offers a compelling and cohesive ensemble that blends perfectly with the musical and staging interpretation and carries the performance, which lasts well over three hours."