Director Pierre Audi Disappears Suddenly
- Pierre Audi, a prominent figure in the world of opera and theatre, and former director of the Aix-en-Provence festival, has died in China.
- Audi, a long-time director of the Amsterdam Opera, was found unresponsive in a Beijing hotel.
- He leaves behind a legacy of artistic innovation and a commitment to both established masterpieces and contemporary works.
Pierre Audi, Former Aix-en-Provence Festival Director, Dies in China
Pierre Audi, a prominent figure in the world of opera and theatre, and former director of the Aix-en-Provence festival, has died in China. He was 66.
Audi, a long-time director of the Amsterdam Opera, was found unresponsive in a Beijing hotel. The cause of death was not promptly released.
Born Nov. 9, 1957, Audi’s career spanned decades and continents. He leaves behind a legacy of artistic innovation and a commitment to both established masterpieces and contemporary works.
Audi’s early exposure to the arts came during his studies in Beirut and later in Paris and London. He attended Exeter College at Oxford University, where he directed Shakespeare’s “Timon of Athens” with the Oxford University Dramatic Society.
Early Career and the Almeida Theatre
In London, Audi founded the Almeida Theatre.The theater quickly gained recognition for its daring programming, high production standards, and its Festival of Contemporary Music. This festival attracted leading composers such as Wolfgang Rihm, Alfred Schnittke, and Arvo Pärt, as well as American composers including Virgil Thomson, Morton Feldman, Steve Reich, and Philip glass.
amsterdam National Opera
At the age of 30, Audi was appointed to lead the Amsterdam National Opera, a position he held for three decades. During his tenure, he showcased a wide range of works, from Monteverdi to Kaija Saariaho. His cycle of Monteverdi operas began in 1990 with a production of “The Return of Ulysses.” He also presented the Dutch premiere of Saariaho’s “L’Amour de Loin” in 2005 as part of the Holland Festival, which he directed from 2004 to 2015.
Audi’s productions in Amsterdam included “Tamerlano,” Rameau’s “Zoroastre,” Claude Vivier’s “Marco Polo,” and Stockhausen’s “Licht.” He collaborated with visual artists such as Anish Kapoor (“Pelléas and Mélisande”), Jannis Kounellis (“Lohengrin”), Jonathan Meese (“Ladder” by Charpentier), and Karel Appel, with whom he worked to salvage a Mozart cycle at the salzburg Festival in 2006 after Riccardo Muti threatened to withdraw.
Aix-en-Provence and Future Projects
Before his appointment of Alexander neef, Audi was considered for a position at the Paris Opera. In 2019, he succeeded Bernard Foccroulle as the director of the Aix-en-Provence festival. In 2022, he programmed seven staged productions and three operas in concert, featuring works by Monteverdi, Cavalli (“La Calisto”), Dusapin, and Sivan Eldar (“The Nine Jewelled Deer”).
despite financial challenges that led to some scaling back of projects, Audi remained committed to his artistic vision. He had recently completed a new production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in Brussels and was preparing a production of “alcina” in Rome.
Future projects included a revival of “Tosca” at the Bastille Opera in Paris, as well as productions of “Tristan” in Amsterdam and “Parsifal” in Munich.
At the time of his death, Audi was in Beijing preparing for a performance of “Siegfried” and “Twilight of the Gods.” His death came just weeks before rehearsals were scheduled to begin in Aix-en-Provence.
Pierre Audi: A Life in Opera and Theatre
This article will explore the life and career of Pierre Audi, a renowned figure in the world of opera and theatre, focusing on key achievements and lasting contributions.
Q: Who was Pierre Audi?
A: Pierre Audi was a prominent figure in the world of opera and theatre. He was a former director of the Aix-en-Provence festival.
Q: What is known about his death?
A: Pierre Audi died in China at the age of 66. He was found unresponsive in a Beijing hotel. The cause of death was not promptly released.
Q: Where did Pierre Audi’s early interest in the arts originate?
A: Audi’s early exposure to the arts came during his studies in Beirut and later in Paris and London. He attended Exeter college at Oxford University, where he directed Shakespeare’s “Timon of Athens.”
Q: What role did pierre Audi play at the Almeida Theatre?
A: Audi founded the almeida Theatre in London. The theatre was known for its daring programming, high production standards, and the Festival of Contemporary Music.
Q: What composers were featured at the almeida Theatre’s Festival of Contemporary Music?
A: The festival featured leading composers such as Wolfgang Rihm, Alfred Schnittke, and Arvo Pärt, and also American composers including Virgil Thomson, Morton Feldman, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass.
Q: What was Pierre Audi’s role at the Amsterdam National Opera?
A: At the age of 30, Audi was appointed to lead the Amsterdam National Opera, a position he held for three decades.
Q: What are some notable productions from his time at the Amsterdam National Opera?
A: During his tenure, Audi showcased a wide range of works, including:
A cycle of Monteverdi operas, beginning in 1990 wiht “The Return of Ulysses”
The Dutch premiere of Saariaho’s “L’Amour de Loin” in 2005
Productions including “Tamerlano,” Rameau’s “Zoroastre,” Claude Vivier’s “Marco Polo,” and Stockhausen’s ”Licht.”
Q: What collaborations with visual artists are mentioned in the article?
A: He collaborated with visual artists such as Anish Kapoor (“Pelléas and Mélisande”), Jannis Kounellis (“Lohengrin”), Jonathan Meese (“Ladder” by Charpentier), and Karel Appel.
Q: What was Pierre Audi’s role at the Aix-en-Provence festival?
A: In 2019, Audi succeeded Bernard Foccroulle as the director of the Aix-en-Provence festival. In 2022, he programmed seven staged productions and three operas in concert.
Q: what were some of the opera productions featured in the 2022 Aix-en-Provence festival?
A: The festival in 2022 featured works by Monteverdi, Cavalli (“La Calisto”), dusapin, and Sivan Eldar (“The Nine Jewelled Deer”).
Q: What projects was Pierre Audi involved in near the end of his life?
A: At the time of his death, Audi had:
Recently completed a new production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in Brussels.
He was preparing a production of “Alcina” in Rome.
Future projects included a revival of “Tosca” in Paris, and productions of “Tristan” in Amsterdam and “Parsifal” in Munich.
* He was in Beijing preparing for a performance of “Siegfried” and “Twilight of the Gods.”
Q: How would you summarize pierre Audi’s legacy?
A: Audi leaves behind a legacy of artistic innovation and a commitment to both established masterpieces and contemporary works.
Q: Can you summarize the key positions and dates of Pierre Audi’s career in a table?
A:
| Role | Institution | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | Almeida Theatre | Unknown - mentioned as a key early career role |
| Director | Amsterdam National Opera | Held for three decades (Mentioned appointed at age 30) |
| Director | Aix-en-Provence Festival | 2019- |