The Lille Opera is breathing new life into Edison Denisov's eclectic operatic adaptation of Boris Vian's 'L'Écume des jours' for the first time since its original debut in 1986. Under the creative direction of Franco-Polish director Anna Smolar, the opera, a wild and eclectic portrayal based on Vian's novel, is set within the revolutionary spirit of May 1968, a nod to the novel's foresight in portraying a free-spirited youth.

Anna Smolar's staging at Lille Opera "L'Écume des jours" by Edison Denisov on stage at the Lille Opera. (SIMON GOSSELIN)

The production is rich with surrealism, taking audiences on a journey from a whimsical romance to a haunting nightmare, at times bordering on a horror story. The complex narrative follows the tale of Colin—a jazz-loving inventor known for his "pianocktail," who becomes financially ruined in his desperate attempts to save the love of his life, Chloé, from a deadly aquatic flower attacking her from within.

Edison Denisov's music matches the vibrant chaos of the storyline, blending lively jazz refrains with somber Russian liturgical choruses, concluding with experimental percussion crescendos. This opera contains incredibly demanding compositions, pushing performers' virtuosity to its limits, although the dense, sometimes dissonant soundscape can obscure its finer details.

Throughout the opera, fantastical imagery from Vian's novel, partially missing from the libretto, emerges in the staging and choreography. Silent, mysterious figures represent the internal and societal transformations of the characters, adding a deeper narrative layer.

Smolar, making her opera debut, reimagines the story by imbuing it with the cultural upheaval reflective of 1968. Through a clever prologue video, she reinvents the narrative from a typically male-centric view, transforming Chloé into more than just a passive figure or a sick wife, granting her control over the story as she imagines it from her deathbed.

This inventive approach is brought to life through riveting performances, particularly by the German soprano Josefin Feiler, who portrays Chloé. She delivers an unforgettable performance, depicted dying on stage while silently witnessing the collapse of her world, showcasing exceptional emotional range and depth.

'L'Écume des jours,' now playing at Lille Opera until November 15, aims to inspire a new generation with its radical reinterpretation, with hopes of continuing its journey across other opera houses.