“The Bald Soprano”- From Absurd Theatre to Contemporary Opera
Eugène Ionesco's "The Bald Soprano" is a seminal work of the Theatre of the Absurd, critiquing bourgeois society's meaningless rituals and communication breakdowns. This iconic play has transitioned to modern opera, significantly via György Ligeti's "Le Grand Macabre." Opera's grandeur and emotion provide a completely unique platform to explore the absurdities of human existence. Ligeti's adaptation captures Ionesco's spirit of absurdity, retaining bizarre characters and dark humor. The adaptability of "The Bald Soprano" to opera underscores its enduring relevance, tough audiences to confront the absurdities of lifestyles and society, and to discover meaning in a world that frequently seems without it. This article explores the evolution of "The Bald Soprano" from absurdist theatre to contemporary opera stages.