On September 5, Culturgest hosted Julie by Philippe Boesmans, presented as part of Operafest Lisbon. Inspired by Strindberg’s Miss Julie (1888), the opera revisits the clash of class and gender between Julie and Jean — a theme that remains strikingly relevant.
Daniela Kerck’s black-and-white set design and Hannah König’s costumes highlighted the social tensions at play, creating a stark and powerful visual atmosphere. Musically, conductor Bruno Borralhinho stood out for his clarity and balance, guiding a demanding score with precision while allowing the vocal expressiveness to shine.
The cast delivered remarkable performances: Julie Delt-Ferrand (Julie) conveyed both intensity and fragility, Michael Marhold (Jean) embodied a commanding yet ambiguous presence, and Camila Mandillo, as the maid, proved the revelation of the evening with her fresh vocal timbre and luminous stage presence.
Warmly received by the audience, the production confirmed Operafest Lisbon’s role as a platform for innovation and risk, giving space to emerging performers and proposing fresh readings of classic works.
#OPERAFEST2025 @Irmin Kerck
Thanks to: Opera Fest; Catarina Molder; João Figueiredo Costa