Jan van Vlijmen - Un Malheureux Vetu de Noir

Eventually, some Dutch composer had to make an opera about Vincent van Gogh, of course. Jan Vlijmen did – a very modern one, not exactly easy stuff. But then, the subject matter wouldn’t allow for a frivolous piece; van Gogh was an extremely complicated man if ever there was one.

We meet the tormented genius when he’s suffering one of his deepest crises. Vincent has just cut off his ear. During a visit of his brother Theo he makes light of his doctor’s concern, “It’s just a scratch”. However, at the same time, he emerges as a vulnerable soul deperate for love and understanding, a man who’s deadly afraid he’ll be left alone in this world. Which doesn’t make him all that agreeable; when his brother is gone, Vincent speaks of him as a liar and traitor.

The next scene is situated in the asylum of Saint-Remy de Provence. There’s a coming and going of mentally diseased individuals, all commenting, adequately or inadequately, on Vincent’s case. The painter himself reveals his dream of a world reigned by artists; after all, “Christ was the greatest artist ever”.

In a later scene it becomes clear Vincent has difficulty to accept his brother’s love for Jo. The woman obviously despises her brother-in-law - or at least, dislikes him for making such heavy demands on her husband. It is a major conflict in this opera, and the libretto suggests the feeling of loss resulting from this antagonism would eventually have urged the artist to commit suicide.

It is Vincent’s death we’re going to witness in the one but final scene, and subsequently his brother’s in the final one. Theo, sad and loyal man, has become mad with sorrow and feelings of guilt and dies in a clinic.

Like I said. Heavy stuff.

Vincent - David Pittman-Jennings, baritone
Theo - Guy de mey, lyric tenor
Jo - Stella Kleindienst, soprano
Doctor - Wout Oostkamp, bass-baritone

Schönberg ensemble, Reinbert de Leeuw
male choir, Krijn Koetsveld

new link 23-12-2012: