Critical Acclaim for Yorgos Ziavras’ Musical Direction of Vivaldi’s La Griselda at Oper Wuppertal

photo: Bettina stöß

Following its premiere on Friday, 16 January, La Griselda by Antonio Vivaldi at Oper Wuppertal has received strong praise from German media and audiences alike, with particular acclaim for the musical direction of Yorgos Ziavras.

Leading a high-calibre international cast of soloists, Ziavras’ interpretation of Vivaldi’s demanding score has been widely recognised for its vitality, stylistic clarity, and expressive depth. The production is directed by Mathilda du Tillieul McNicol, with staging by Noemi Daboczi.

German critics consistently highlighted the conductor’s sensitive handling of Baroque rhetoric, his close collaboration with the singers, and the finely balanced orchestral sound achieved with the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra and its expanded continuo group.

Selected Press Reviews

“Vivaldi was an exceptional instrumental composer; his orchestral writing is brilliant and full of momentum. Under Ziavras’s dynamic and shaping direction, the orchestra plays with enthusiasm and conveys the music almost physically, leading to performances of the highest quality.” — Ute Ingelath-Gegg, Westdeutsche Zeitung

“From the orchestra pit, a true firework of Baroque orchestral music resounds. Ziavras leads the demanding score with great sensitivity, precision, and care, lending it remarkable depth and texture.”
— Berndt Lausberg, O-Ton

“The orchestra played colourfully and precisely. Conductor Yorgos Ziavras led the music in close proximity to the singers, sharpened the dynamic string sound, and achieved an excellent balance between the large string section, the basso continuo with regal, cello and theorbo, as well as the natural horns and trumpets treated as effect instruments.”
— Andreas Falentin, Die Deutsche Bühne

“Musically, the evening leaves nothing to be desired. Yorgos Ziavras, together with the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra, weaves a baroque tapestry of sound that brings out Vivaldi’s musical genius with a fine sense for detail.”
— Thomas Molke, Online Musik Magazin

“Kapellmeister Yorgos Ziavras brings Vivaldi’s score to life with great vitality and momentum. In the arias, he seeks to give musical resonance to the metaphors of the text.”
— Rudolf Hermes, Der Opernfreund

“In addition, under the agile, prudent and singer-friendly direction of Yorgos Ziavras, the small ensemble of the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra, including a continuo group with shelf (portable small organ), harpsichord and theorbo, plays very nuanced and provides baroque sounds rich in timbre.” — Hartmut Sassenhausen, Engels-Magazin