On 9 February 2019, the Gran Teatre del Liceu presented the world premiere of L’enigma di Lea, a new opera by Benet Casablancas with a libretto by Rafael Argullol, conducted by Josep Pons. The work marked one of the most ambitious contemporary Catalan operatic creations and formed part of the Liceu’s commitment to commissioning and promoting new music.
Following several years of collaboration between composer and librettist, L’enigma di Lea reached the stage in a production directed by Carme Portaceli, with sets designed by Paco Azorín. Exploring themes of desire, knowledge, power and the human condition, the opera combined a richly coloured contemporary musical language with an exceptionally demanding orchestral score, becoming one of the highlights of the season.
The cast was led by Allison Cook as Lea, alongside José Antonio López, José Manuel Zapata, Toni Marsol, David Alegret, Antonio Lozano, Marta Mathéu, Marisa Martins, Anaïs Masllorens and an outstanding ensemble of singers. The performances also featured the Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, facing one of the most technically and musically challenging scores of the contemporary repertoire.
With this world premiere, Josep Pons reaffirmed his commitment to contemporary creation and to expanding the operatic repertoire through new works. L’enigma di Lea became one of the defining milestones of the artistic project developed at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, reinforcing the theatre’s position as a leading centre for twenty-first-century opera.