Page 500 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

Simon Wallfisch (Eckbert), William Morgan (Walther) in Blond Eckbert, Aldeburgh Festival
2024

Berthe (Flora McIntosh) and Walthe (William Morgan who later plays Hugo, and An Old
Woman) are called upon to provide an enormous amount of exposition. Once Berthe has
started questioning Walthe’s actions, knowledge and intention her role seems to disappear,
the memory of her when she’s not present on stage far more chilling than the lines that might
explain her absence. Walthe and Hugo hasten Eckbert’s descent into psychological turmoil.
The Old Woman provides the denouement. Despite these functions, both musicians created
characters with depth, vulnerability, and in places, humility, McIntosh navigating Weir’s
complex writing with ease.

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When the nature of Berthe and Eckbert’s relationship is revealed the ensuing actions
underscore one of the opera’s themes: the image we present, shaped by our formative years,
often masks the truth underneath. When true self-awareness is achieved, the transformation
can be profound. For Eckbert, this results in psychological torment, moral decline, and
ultimately, death.