With the âMĂ©ditationâ, Jules Massenet probably wrote one of the most famous melodies of our time. It originates from his comĂ©die-lyrique ThaĂŻs, which â unlike Massenet's operas Werther or Manon â never made it into the international opera repertoire. Presumably because the two main roles of ThaĂŻs and AthanaĂ«l demand something almost superhuman from the singers. In the new production by Peter Konwitschny at the Theater an der Wien, the American soprano Nicole Chevalier is one of the most exciting singers currently on stage in the title role. At her side, the young Austrian bass-baritone Josef Wagner celebrates his houseâ debut. This is a fascinating and musically excellent performance of a timeless classic of the opera repertoire.