Today : world première of 'La Princesse légère' by Violeta Cruz in Lille

Today, the Opéra de Lille presents the world première of La Princesse légère (The Light Princess), a children opera composed by Violeta Cruz, with a libretto by Gilles Rico based on George MacDonald's fairy tale.

It is the composer's first opera.

Once upon a time there was a princess, a long awaited only daughter condemned from birth by a witch to complete weightlessness : of the body, preventing her from touching the ground and of the spirit, causing her to laugh about everything. What can we do with a daughter who knows nothing of the seriousness of the world wondered the king and the queen ? Fortunately the princess liked adventures…  (reproduced from the Court-Circuit Ensemble website)

The cast includes soprano Jeanne Crousaud (The Princess), mezzo Majdouline Zerari (The Queen), baritone Jean-Jacques L'Anthöen (The King) and baritone Nicholas Merryweather (The Prince). Jean Deroyer conducts the Court-Circuit Ensemble. Jos Houben and Emily Wilson direct.

The performance should last about 75 minutes.

The opera will also be performed in Paris at the Opéra Comique, from March 9 to March 12, 2018.

Today : world première of 'Kunst muss (zu weit gehen) oder der Engel schwieg' bu Helmut Oehring in Köln

Today, the Köln Oper presents the world première of Kunst muss (zu weit gehen) oder der Engel schwieg (Art must go too far or the Angel was silent), a 'docupoetical instrumental theater' composed by Helmut Oehring. The libretto is based on Heinrich Böll's speech The Freedom of Art (Wuppertal, 1966) and recollections of other participants.

(c) Daniel Naupold

Since 1996 (Dokumentation, Spoleto), Helmut Oehring has composed several works for the stage including Effi Briest (Bonn, 2001), Die Brüder Löwenherz (Dresden, 2015) and Agota (Wiesbaden, 2016).

Under the postulate 'Art has to go too far' he expressed the relationship between art, politics and society. In doing so, he spoke out firmly against the idea of ​​an art that has to please society and the power in place. (freely adapted from the Köln Oper website)

The cast includes soprano emily Hindrichs (Engel 1), mezzo Adriana Bastidas-Gamboa (Engel 2), mezzo Dalia Schaechter (Engel 3), Mia Oehring (Das junge Mädchen) and Joscha Oehring (Der Junge). Bas Wiegers conducts the Ensemble Musikfabrik, Helmut Oehring and Stefanie Wördemann direct.

The performance takes place at the Staatenhaus (Saal 3) and should last about 90 minutes.

Today : world première of 'Geisterritter' by James Reynolds in Bonn

Today, the Oper Bonn presents a new children opera composed by James Reynolds, Geisterritter (Ghost Knight), an 'operatic thriller' with a libretto by Christoph Klimke based on Cornelia Funke's novel.

It is the composer's second opera after Tucholskys Spiegel, first performed at Schlosstheater Rheinsberg on July 21, 2017.

Eleven-year-old Jon Whitcroft never expected to enjoy boarding school. Then again, he never expected to be confronted by a pack of vengeful ghosts, either. And then he meets Ella, a quirky new friend with a taste for adventure...
Together, Jon and Ella must work to uncover the secrets of a centuries-old murder while being haunted by terrifying spirits, their bloodless faces set on revenge. So when Jon summons the ghost of the late knight Longspee for his protection, there's just one question: Can Longspee truly be trusted ? (reproduced from Cornelia Funke wikia website)

The cast includes tenor David Fischer (Jon Whitcroft), soprano Marie Heeschen (Ella Littlejohn), soprano Susanne Blattert (Zelda Littlejohn / Ela Longspee), baritone Giorgos Kanaris (William Longspee), baritone Fabio Lesuisse (Angus), tenor Julian Kokott (Aleister Jindrich) and and countertenor Bernhardt Landauer (Lord Stourton). Daniel Johannes Mayr conducts the Beethoven Orchester Bonn and the Youth Choir of the Theater Bonn. Erik Petersen directs.

The required orchestra is the following (according to the Boosey & Hawkes website) :

- 2 flutes (I. doubling alto flute), piccolo, 2 oboes (II. doubling English horn), 2 clarinets (I. doubling alto saxophone, II. doubling bass clarinet), 1 bassoon, 1 contrabassoon ;
- 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 bass trombone ;
- timpani, percussions (4 players) ;
- harp, piano (also celesta and electronic keyboard), synthesizer / sampler ;
- strings (10.8.6.4.3) ;
- tape ;
- on stage : electric guitar (optional).

The performance should last about 85 minutes. This new opera is a coproduction with the Deutsche Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf Duisburg and the Theater Dortmund.

Today : world première of Xavier Dayer's 'Alzheim' in Bern

Today, the Konzert Theater Bern presents the world première of Xavier Dayer's Alzheim, a musical theatre piece in 50 scenes, with a libretto by Jürgen Berger based on interviews with patients of Baan Kamlangchay, a home for demented patients from German-speaking countries in Faham, near Chiang Mai, Thailand.

It is Dayer's 6th opera, after Le Marin (Geneva, 1999), Les Aveugles (Saint-Denis, 2006) and Contes de la lune vague après la pluie (Rouen, 2015).

The work gives an insight into the world of patients and guests, telling stories about destinies of relatives. Here, authenticity becomes fiction. (freely adapted from the Theater Bern website).

The cast includes soprano Marielle Murphy (Pflegerin), soprano Evgenia Grekova (Margret), mezzo soprano Claude Eichenberg (Magda) and baritone Robin Adams (Buddha). Jochem Hochstenbach conducts the Berner Symphonieorchester. Ludger Engels directs.

The required orchestra is the following :

- 1 flute (doubling piccolo and bass flute), 1 oboe (doubling English horn), 1 clarinet (doubling bass clarinet) ;
- 1 horn, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone ;
- 1 percussionist, 1 piano ;
- String quintet.

The performance takes place at Vidmar 1 and should last about 85 minutes.

Today : world première of 'The House Without A Christmas Tree' by Ricky Ian Gordon in Houston (TX)

Today, the Houston Grand Opera presents the world première of The House Without A Christmas Tree, composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, with a libretto by Royce Vavrek based on the original story by Gail Rock.

It is the composer's fifth opera after The Grapes of Wrath (Minneapolis, February 10, 2007), Morning Star (Cincinnati, June 2013), A Coffin in Egypt (Houston, March 14, 2014) and 27 (St. Louis, June 14, 2014).

Addie Mills is smart and energetic, just like the mother she never knew. Addie has no idea why her father resents the holidays so intensely, refusing even to allow a Christmas tree in the house. But when she brings home a tree she won in a school contest, it paves the way for a miracle of sorts — her father’s broken soul is transformed. (reproduced from the Houston Grand Opera website)

The cast includes soprano Lauren Snouffer (Addie Mills), baritone Daniel Belcher (James Addison Mills III 'Dad'), soprano Patricia Schuman (Grandma Mills), soprano Heidi Stober (Miss Thompson / Helen Mills / Adelaide Mills), mezzo soprano Megan Mikailovna Samarin (Carla Mae), soprano Elisabeth Leone (Gloria Cott) and tenor Maximilian Macias (Billy Wild). Bradley Moore conducts the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Juvenile Chorus. James Robinson directs.

The performance should last about 80 minutes. The venue is the Resilience Theater, in the George R. Brown Convention Center.

4 new recent program books in my collection

I have recently acquired 4 new program books for contemporary operas :

- Arnulf Herrmann, Der Mieter, Frankfurt, November 12, 2017 ;
- Krzysztof Knittel, The Last Judgement, Gdansk, November 9, 2017 ;
- Nico Muhly, Marnie, London (ENO), November 18, 2017 ;
- Salvatore Sciarrino, Ti vedo, ti sento, mi perdo, Milano (Teatro alla Scala), November 14, 2017.

The first one is a 96 pages book. It contains :

- crew for the production ;
- synopsis of the opera ;
- Das Klopfen der Nachbarn und das zerbrechende Glas, interview of composer Arnulf Herrmann and librettist Händl Klaus by dramatugist Zsolt Horpacsy ;
- Markus Böggemann : Energien, erfahrbar gemarcht (über Arnulf Herrmann) ;
- Kazushi Ono : Ein Gefühl des Schwankens (Anmerkungen zur Musik von Der Mieter) ;
- Alles Falle, interview of director Johannes Erath and set designer Kaspar Glarner by dramaturgist Zsolt Horpacsy ;
- Anja Petersen : Wie im Schwindel ;
- Memoiren eines alten Arschlochs, Portrait von Roland Topor ;
- Alexander Garcia Düttmann : Verwandlung, Gedanken zu Roland Topors Roman Le Locataire chimérique ;
- Georg Hensel : Ein Sonntagsmaler des Grauens ;
- 16 pages of color photos of the production ;
- Händl Klaus : Hausmitteilung, Schutzdichtung für Muriel ;
- the complete libretto.

The programme book is entirely in German. At the end of it, there is a 3 pages synopsis in English. There is a separate 6 pages flyer with the complete cast and crew and a separate 12 pages booklet with biographies of the artists with black and white headshots.

The second one is a 24 pages booklet. It contains :

- complete cast and crew :
- a short article by composer Krzysztof Knittel ;
- biographies of artists with black and white headshots ;
- synopsis ;
- an article on Hans Memling's painting The Last Judgement, by Alicja Andrzejewska-Zajac and Magdalena Podgorzak.

It is entirely in Polish.

The third one is a 62 pages book. It contains :

- complete cast and crew ;
- synopsis ;
- Nico Muhly : Writing 'Marnie' ;
 - a short excerpt of Winston Graham's original novel Marnie ;
- Paul Cremo ; Exploring 'Marnie' ;
- Winston Graham on 'Marnie', excerpt of Graham's Memoirs of a Private Man ;
- Paul Griffiths : Singing by Other Means : An Introduction to Nico Muhly's Music ;
- biographies of cast and crew, with black and white headshots. 

The fourth and last one is a 156 pages book. It contains :

- La scena, il dramma, il mito, l'oblio ;
- Organico strumentale (orchestral setting) ;
- complete libretto only in Italian ;
- synopsis in Italian by Cesare Fertonani, with translations in French, English, German, Japanese and
Russian ;
- Cesare Fertonani : Salvatore Sciarrino ;
- Cesare Fertonani : L'opera in breve ;
- Gianluigi Mattietti : La musica ;
- Enzo Restagno : Ti vedo, ti sento, mi perdo ;
- Andrea De Carlo : Stradella, o dell'atemporalità ;
- Raffaele Mellace : Alessandro Stradella ;
- Anna Paniale : Il teatro nel teatro - Alcune riflessioni di Jürgen Flimm ;
- Luca Chierici : Salvatore Sciarrino alla Scala dal 1969 al 2014 (with 'Cronologia') ;
- biographies of the artists with headshots.

With the exception of the translations of the synopsis, the book is entirely in Italian.

I now have 505 programme books for contemporary operas. All covers have been scanned and uploaded to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Girls of the Golden West' by John Adams in San Francisco

Today, the San Francisco Opera presents the world première of Girls of the Golden West, an opera in two acts composed by John Adams, with a libretto by Peter Sellars, based on 'original sources'.

(c) Christine Alicino

It is the composer's 8th opera after Nixon in China (Houston, October 22, 1987), The Death of Klinghoffer (Brussels, March 19, 1991) and Doctor Atomic (San Francisco, October 1, 2005).

The opera follows people from all over the world who flock to Gold Country hoping to strike it rich but are quickly caught up in the optimism, greed and prejudices of a rapidly changing world. Dame Shirley is an East Coast transplant chronicling life in the camp.  Ah Sing, a Chinese immigrant, works as a prostitute but dreams of a better life. Ned Peters is a cowboy and former slave who never quite feels safe. And Josefa Segovia is a young Mexican barmaid whose act of self-preservation will change them all forever. (reproduced from the San Francisco Opera website)

The cast includes soprano Julia Bullock (Dame Shirley), baritone Paul Appleby (Joe Cannon), baritone Ryan McKinny (Clarence King), bass-baritone Davone Tines (Ned Peters), mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges (Josefa Segovia), soprano Hye Jung Lee (Ah Sing), baritone Elliot Madore (Ramon) and dancer Lorena Feijoo (Lola Montez). Grant Gershon conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the San Francisco Opera. Peter Sellars directs.

The required orchestra is the following (reproduced from the Boosey & Hawkes website) :

- 3 flutes (doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (doubling cor Anglais), 3 clarinets (doubling Eb clarinet and bass clarinet), 3 bassons (doubling contrabassoon) ;
- 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba ;
- 2 percussionists, piano, accordion and guitar ;
- strings (12.9.7.7.5).

The performance should last about 3 hours including one intermission. The venue is the War Memorial Opera House. This new opera is a co-commission and co-production with the Dallas Opera and Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam.

Today : world première of Nico Muhly's 'Marnie' in London (ENO)

Today, the English National Opera in London presents the world première of Nico Muhly's new opera, Marnie, with a libretto by Nicholas Wright, based on Winston Graham's novel.

It is the composer's third opera after Dark Sisters (Gotham Chamber Opera, New York, November 9, 2011) and Two Boys (London, ENO, June 24, 2011).

A young woman makes her way through life by embezzling from her employers, before she moves on and changes her identity. When her current boss Mark Rutland catches her red-handed, he blackmails her into a loveless marriage. Marnie is left with no choice but to confront the hidden trauma from her past. (reproduced from the ENO website)

The cast includes mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke (Marnie), baritone Daniel Okulitch (Mark Rutland), countertenor James Laing (Terry Rutland), tenor Alasdair Elliott (Mr Strutt),contralto Kathleen Wilkinson (Marnie's mother) and soprano Lesley Garrett (Mrs Rutland). Martyn Brabbins conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the English National Opera. Michael Meyer directs.

The performance should last about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The opera will be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 on December 9, 2017.

Today : world première of Giovanni Mancuso's 'Atlas 101' in Treviso

Today, the Teatro Comunale di Treviso presents the world première of Giovanni Mancuso's Atlas 101, a 'matematico-dream spy opera'.

(c) Fotovideolab di Riccardo Spinella

It is the composer's second opera after Obra Maestra (2006).

Hedy Lamarr, the Austrian actress who won Hollywood in the 1930s, and composer George Antheil, famous for his avant-garde experiments, contributed to the struggle against Nazism by conceiving the Secret Communication System, a method of intercepting radioactive torpedoes, similar to the perforated paper rolls used for mechanical pianos, which constantly changed the frequency of radio controls to prevent enemies from intercepting the signals. But their project exceeds any expectation by coming to the idea of ​​a universal Atlas of Relationship, a kind of ultimate theory that makes it possible to understand the nature of things and events. (freely adapted from the Teatro Comunale di Treviso website)

The cast includes Fernanda de Araujo (Hedy Lamarr), bass Francisco Bois (George Antheil), baritone Francesco Basso (Ganesh), soprano Sara Fanin (Maria, cameriera di Hedy), bass Luca Scapin (Vescovo), Lucas Lopes Pereira (Generale Spy) and Veniero Rizzardi (John Conway). The composer conducts the Chironomids Outerspace Group and directs.

New programme book : 'Dracula' by Victoria Borisova-Ollas in Stockholm

Yesterday, I have received in the mail the programme book published by the Royal Swedish Opera for the world première performance of Dracula, composed by Victoria Borisova-Ollas.

It is a 28 pages brochure. It contains :

- black and white headshots of all cast members ;
- several colour photos of the production ;
- complete crew ;
- Detta händer i Dracula (What happens in Dracula), by dramaturgist Katarina Aronsson (there is an English translation of this article by Katarina Trodden at the end of the booklet) ;
- I vampyren ser vi oss själva (In the vampire, we see ourselves), by Bo Eriksson ;
- interview of the librettist Kristian Benkö, by Torbjörn Eriksson ;
- interview of the stage director Linus Fellbom, by Torbjörn Eriksson ;
- interview of the composer Victoria Borisova-Ollas, by dramaturgist Katarina Aronsson ;
- interview of the conductor Karen Kamensek, by Torbjörn Eriksson ;

The programme is entirely in Swedish.

I now have 501 programme books for contemporary operas. All scanned covers are in this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Ti vedo, ti sento, mi perdo' by Salvatore Sciarrino in Milan

Today, the Teatro alla Scala in Milano presents the world première performance of Ti vedo, ti sento, mi perdo (To see you, to feel you, to lose me), an opera in two acts composed by Salvatore Sciarrino, with a libretto by the composer.

(c) Luca Carrà

Salvatore Sciarrino has already composed 15 works for the theatre, including Lohengrin (Milano, 1983), Luci mie traditrici (Schwetzingen, 1998), Macbeth (Schwetzingen, 2002), Da gelo a gelo (Schwetzingen, 2006), La porta della legge (Wuppertal, 2009), and Superflumina (Mannheim, 2011).

The subtitle of Ti vedo, ti sento, mi perdo is Waiting for Stradella. This alludes to the fate of Alessandro Stradella, a highly prominent Italian composer during his time, who died in mysterious circumstances in 1682 – the victim of a violent crime. The work is set in the home of Cardinal Colonna in baroque Rome, where a singer, a writer, a musician, a choir and an instrumental ensemble are on stage awaiting the arrival of the composer. But instead of the promised new aria, they receive news of Stradella’s death. In the lead-up, the music and life of this controversial, original artist – a legend during his lifetime – are extensively reported and reflected upon. Different perspectives and values play a role, as do thoughts on human nature, the body, the senses and passion – in other words, the very essence of opera as an art form. (reproduced from the Staatsoper Unter den Linden website)

The cast includes soprano Laura Aikin (La cantatrice), tenor Charles Workman (Musico), bass baritone Otto Katzameier (Letterato), soprano Sonia Grané (Pasquozza), mezzo Lena Haselmann (Chiappina), countertenor Thomas Lichtenecker (Solfetto) and baritone Christian Oldenburg (Finocchio). Maxime Pascal conducts the Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala. Jürgen Flimm directs.

The first performance will be broadcast live by Rai Radio 3. This commission is a coproduction with the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, where the opera will be performed in July 2018.

Today : world première of 'König Drösselbart' by Andres Reukauf in Hagen

Today, the Theater Hagen presents the world première performance of König Drösselbart (King Thrushbeard), an children opera composed by Andres Reukauf, with a libretto by Petra Grube after the Brothers Grimm.

Andres Raukauf has already composed several operas for children : Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse (Hagen, 2012), Der Froschkönig (Hagen, 2013), Vom Fischer und seine Frau (2014), and Hänsel und Gretel (Hagen, 2015).

What should the perfect man look like for Philine ? She does not know exactly, but how he should NOT look, she knows all the better. And he should not even have a beard like a throttle. A "King Drosselbart" has no chance with her !
It doesn't matter to her, that everyone else thinks she is superficial, after all, she's a real princess - and she has to be nasty. Should anyone be judged only by the appearance ?
These and many more questions lead the princess into the adventure together with her loyal dog Karlo. (freely adapted from the opera theater website)

The cast includes Jan Schuba (König Ludwig / Händler), Carolina Walker (Philine, Ludwig's daughter), Tobias Rusnak (König Drosselbart), Daniel Heck (dog Karlo), and Kristina Günther-Vieweg (cat Charlie). Jan Friedrich Eggers directs.

Today : world première of 'Der Mieter' by Arnulf Herrmann in Frankfurt

Today, the Oper Frankfurt presents the world première of Der Mieter (The Tenant), an opera composed by Arnulf Herrmann with a libretto by Klaus Händl based on motifs from Roland Topor's novel Le Locataire chimérique.

It is the composer's second opera after Wasser (München, 2012).

Lodgings are scarce, so Georg is delighted to have found a room. The previous tenant is dead. She threw herself out of the window. Not long after he moves in the other people in the house start intruding on his life. It starts with complaints about noise. Then he is expected to help drive other tenants away. Everything takes place in a climate of increasing fear, intimidation and – what weighs most heavily – gradual self-restraint and the need to become increasingly obedient in order to be able keep his room. The extent to how he is free to move and act becomes less and less. His (bio)sphere begins to vanish. In the end it is unclear whether the threat is real or imagined – advanced paranoia. He begins to imagine that he is being forced to suffer the same fate as the previous tenant. And worse: that he should become part of her. Not only does he lose his own identity, he turns into a woman and takes his life. (reproduced from the Oper Frankfurt website)

The cast includes baritone Björn Bürger (Georg), soprano Anja Petersen (Johanna), bass Alfred Reiter (Herr Zenk), mezzo Hanna Schwarz (Frau Bach), mezzo Claudia Mahnke (Frau Greiner), tenor Michael Porter (Körner) and mezzo Judita Nagyova (Frau Dorn). Kazushi Ono conducts the Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester and the Philharmonia Chorus Vienna. Johannes Erath directs.

The required orchestra is the following (reproduced from the Peters Edition website) :

- 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 4 clarinets, 3 bassoons ;
- 6 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba ;
- 2 timpani and 5 percussionists ;
- harp and keyboard ;
- strings (12.10.8.8.6).

The performance should last about 1 hour and 50 minutes, without interval.

Today : world première of 'Rootabaga Country' by Rachel J. Peters in Sarasota

Today, the Sarasota Youth Opera presents the world première of Rootabaga Country, an opera composed by Rachel J. Peters with a libretto by the composer based on Carl Sandburg 1922 stories.

Other operas by Rachel J. Peters include The Wild Beast of the Bungalow (2009), Companionship (2011) and Monkey Do (2013).

Gimme the Ax's two children, Please Gimme and Ax Me No Questions, yearn to know more about their mother Alelia and the land of Rootabaga Country she so loved. After journeying through the sky on the Zigzag Railroad, the family meets the Potato Face Blind Man and the unique residents of Rootabaga. They will not only discover who Alelia was, but also learn that families come in all shapes and sizes. (reproduced from the Sarasota Opera website)

The cast includes bass-baritone Costas Tsourakis (Potato Face Blind Man) and tenor Tobias Wright (Gimme the Ax). Jesse Martins conducts the Youth Opera Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus. Martha Collins directs.

Today : world première of 'The Last Judgement' by Krzysztof Knittel in Gdansk

Today, the Opera Baltycka in Gdansk presents the world première of Krzysztof Knittel's The Last Judgement (Sąd Ostateczny), with a libretto by Miroslaw Bujko.

(c) Tomasz Paczos

It is the composer's second opera after The Heartpiece - Double Opera (composed with John King, 1999).

The opera tells the gruesome fate of one of the eminent European paintings, the "Last Judgment" by Hans Memling. It depicts the mysticism of the origins and significance of the triptych, the struggles of its creator and its audience, who could admire it in different circumstances, historical realities and cities of Europe. The wandering of the image began with the spoils that brought it to Gdansk where it is now a permanent exhibit. (freely adapted from the Opera Baltycka website)

The cast includes baritone Robert Gierlach (Memling), bass Piotr Lempa (Arago), countertenor Jan Jakub Monowid (Portinari) and soprano Anna Mikolajczyk (Katarzyna Tanagli). Szymon Morus conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Opera Baltycka. Pawel Szkotak directs.

Today : world première of 'Mr. Burke and Mr. Hare' by Julian Grant in Boston (MA)

Today, the Boston Lyric Opera presents the world première performance of The Nefarious, Immoral but Highly Profitable Enterprise of Mr. Burke and Mr. Hare, a chamber opera composed by Julian Grant, with a libretto by Mark Campbell based on real events.

Since 1986 and the chamber opera King's Children, Julian Grant has composed several works for the stage, including dance operas, chamber operas, children's operas and community operas.

Edinburgh, 1828. The city’s world-renowned anatomy schools suffer from a cadaver shortage. Two industrious men — William Burke and William Hare — find lucrative work by murdering disenfranchised citizens and selling their corpses to Dr. Knox’s academy. (reproduced from the BLO website)

The cast includes tenor William Burden (Dr. Robert Knox), baritone Jesse Blumberg (William Burke), bass-baritone Craig Colclough (William Hare), soprano Michelle Trainor (Helen McDougal), soprano Marie McLaughlin (Abigail Simpson) and baritone David Cushing (Donald). David Angus conducts the Chamber Ensemble from the Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra. David Schweizer directs.

The venue is the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. The performance should last about 90 minutes.

Today : world première of Brian Current's 'Missing' in Vancouver

Today, the City Opera Vancouver presents the world première performance of Missing, a chamber opera composed by Brian Current with a libretto by Marie Clements.

It is the composer's third opera after Inventory (2006) and Airline Icarus (revised version, 2010).

Set in Vancouver and along the Highway of Tears, this music drama is being created to give voice to the story of Canada’s missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls, and to show that each and every one of these missing people is honored. (reproduced from the City Opera Vancouver website)

The cast includes soprano Melody Courage (Native Girl), oprano Caitlin Wood (Ava), mezzo Marion Newman (Dr. Wilson), mezzo Rose-Ellen Nichols (Native Mother), mezzo Heather Molloy (Jess) and tenor Kaden Forsberg (Devon). Timothy Long conducts and Peter Hinton directs.

The orchestra consists of 1 flute, 1 clarinet, 2 percussionists, 1 electric piano, violin, cello and electronics.

The performance takes place at the York Theater and should last about 90 minutes. Further performances will follow in Victoria (BC) at the Baumann Centre for Opera in the second half of November.

New programme books in my collection

I have recently acquired the following programme books for contemporary operas :

 - Isaac Albéniz : Merlin, Madrid (Teatro Real), May 28th, 2003 (first staged performance), 232 p. ;
- José Ramon Encinar : Figaro, Madrid (Sala Olimpia), February 21st, 1988 (world première), 45 p. ;
- Anton Garcia Abril : Divinas palabras, Madrid (Teatro Real), October 18th, 1997 (world première),
143 p. ;

- Cristobal Halffter : Don Quijote, Madrid (Teatro Real), February 23rd, 2000 (world première), 142 p. ;
- Philippe Manoury : Kein Licht, Paris (Opéra Comique), October 18th, 2017 (world première on August 25th, 2017 in Duisburg), 84 p. ;
- Tomas Marco : Selene, Madrid (Teatro de la Zarzuela), February 24th, 1996 (world première in the same theater on May 14th, 1974), 88 pages ;
 

 
- Xavier Montsalvatge : Babel 46, Madrid (Teatro Real), March 25th, 2002 (world première on July 30th, 1994 at the Cadaqués Festival), 35 p. ;
- Luis de Pablo : La senorita Cristina, Madrid (Teatro Real), February 10th, 2001 (world première),
145 p. ;
- José Maria Sanchez-Verdu : El viaje a Simorgh, Madrid (Teatro Real), May 4th, 2007, world première, 175 p.

I have now 500 programme books for contemporary operas in my collection. I have uploaded all the scanned covers to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Dracula' by Victoria Borisova-Ollas in Stockholm

Today, the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm presents the world première of Dracula, an opera in two acts composed in 2013 by Victoria Borisova-Ollas with a libretto by Claes Peter Hellwig and Kristian Benkö.

It is the composer's first opera.

How long can love survive ? What would you do if a stranger shows up from nowhere and says he has been looking for you for 400 years ? A stranger who challenges your dreams, your self-image and your future. Love is surprising. Is eternity a blessing or death a liberator ? And what scares you most, light or dark ? (freely translated from the Royal Swedish Opera website)

The cast includes soprano Elisabeth Meyer (Mina), tenor Joel Annmo (Jonathan), baritone Ola Eliasson (Dracula), mezzo-soprano Katarina Leoson (Elizabetha), soprano Sanna Gibbs (Lucy), mezzo-soprano Susann Végh (Mrs Westenra), tenor Jon Nilsson (Quincey), baritone Kristian Flor (Holmwood), bass baritone Johan Edholm (Dr. Seward) and and bass Lars Arvidson (Dr. Van Helsing). Karen Kamensek conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Swedish Opera. Linus Fellbom directs.

The required orchestra is the following (reproduced from the Universal Edition website) :

- 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (3rd doubling English horn), 3 clarinets (3rd doubling bass clarinet), 3 bassoons (3rd doubling contrabassoon) ;
- 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 3 trombones, tuba ;
- timpani and 3 percussionists ;
- harp, 2 keyboards ;
- strings.

The first performance will be broadcast live by Sveriges Radio P2. It should last about 2 hours.

Today : world première of 'Dubliners' by Andrew Synnott in Wexford

Today, the Wexford Festival Opera presents the world première of Dubliners, two one-act operas composed by Andrew Synnott, with librettos by Arthur Riordan after James Joyce's Dubliners.

 

(c) Ros Kavanagh

It is the composer' second opera after Breakdown (Dublin, 2015). The two parts are Counterparts and The Boarding House.

In this dark tale, we follow the growing frustration of Farrington, a lumbering alcoholic copyist, over the course of one afternoon and evening. His mind-numbing work is made intolerable by an overbearing boss who demeans him in front of colleagues. Washing away his misery in several of Dublin’s pubs Farrington is humiliated once more when he physically tries to measure up to a visiting English acrobat. Worse still, an actress that Farrington eyes up is uninterested in him. Frustrated, he returns home where his mood worsens, and he violently takes out his anger on his son Tom.

Jack Mooney introduces The Boarding House, run by his mother. It caters both for clerks and visiting music-hall entertainers. The scheming proprietor, Mrs Mooney, allows her daughter Polly to spend time with the men who stay there. She knows that young men like it when a pretty girl is not too far away. A relationship blossoms between Polly and the successful clerk Bob Doran. Mrs Mooney carefully observes and tracks it until the most profitable moment. When she is sure the relationship has been observed by others, she knows that Mr Doran has no choice but to propose to Polly out of social propriety. (reproduced from the Wexford Festival Opera website)

The cast includes soprano Emma Nash (Polly / Mrs Delacour), mezzo Anna Jeffers (Mother / Weathers), tenor Andrew Gavin (Bob / Alleyne / O'Halloran), baritone David Howes (Jack / Flynn), tenor Peter O'Donohue (Higgins) and bass-baritone Cormac Lawlor (Farrington). They are accompanied by piano and a string quartet. The composer conducts. Annabelle Comyn directs.

The performance should last about 64 minutes, including a 6 minute pause.

Received this morning : programme book for Ronchetti's 'Rivale' in Berlin

This Tuesday morning, I have received in the the mail the programme book published by the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin for the world première of Lucia Ronchetti's Rivale.

It is a 28 pages book. It contains :

- complete cast and crew ;
- Über Rivale, by compoer Lucia Ronchetti ;
- Die Musik der Gegenwart, die in den Spiegel der Vergangenheit blickt - Eine Künstlerbiografie der Komponistin Lucia Ronchetti, by Stefano Nardelli ;
- Das abwesende Gegenüber, dialogue with stage director Isabel Ostermann.

I now have 491 programme books for contemporary operas. I have uploaded scans of the covers to this flickr folder.

Received : programme book for Aribert Reimann's 'L'Invisible' in Berlin

Last Friday, I received in the mail the programme book published by the Deutsche Oper Berlin for the world première performance of Aribert Reimann's 'trilogie lyrique' L'Invisible.

It is a 48 pages book. It contains :

- the synopsis ;
- Ein Kreislauf des Schrecklichen, the composer in dialogue with dramaturge Jörg Königsdorf ;
- Der musikalische Kern einer theatralischen Frucht, by Belgian writer Jacques De Decker ;
- several colour photos of the production, by Bernd Uhlig (16 pages) ;
- Todesakkord und Vokalpolyfonie, by dramaturge Sebastian Hanusa ;
- Ein Stück über Leben und Tod, by director Vasily Barkhatov ;
- Aribert Reimann und die Deutsche Oper Berlin ;
- Synopsis, in English.

The programme is entirely in German, with the exception of the English synopsis. There is also a separate 8 pages leaflet with the complete cast and crew and biographies.

I now have 490 programme books for contemporary operas. I have uploaded scans of the covers to this flickr folder.

New programme book : 'Schönerland' by Soren Nils Eichberg in Wiesbaden

I have recently received the programme book published by the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden for the world première performance of Søren Nils Eichberg's Schönerland.

It is a 24 pages brochure, entirely in German. It contains :

- production team ;
- synopsis ;
- color photos of rehearsals ;
- interview of the composer by Katja Leclerc ;
- Was ist 'Schönerland', by director Johanna Wehner ;
- Wir Flüchtlinge by Hannah Arendt ;
- Eine neue Oper entsteht, by Katja Leclerc.

It is the 489th programme book for contemporary opera I have in my collection. I have uploaded all the scanned covers to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of Lucia Ronchetti's 'Rivale' in Berlin

Today, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin presents the world première of Lucia Ronchetti's chamber opera Rivale, with a libretto in French by the composer based on Antoine Danchet's Tancrède.

It is the composer's 13th work of musical theatre since L'Ape apatica (Venezia, 2002). Other stage works include Mise en abyme (Dresden, 2014) and Esame di mezzanotte (Mannheim, 2015).

Clorinda becomes the narrator and witness of her own tragedy – an irreconcilable conflict between rivalry and desire. (reproduced from the Staatsoper Unter den Linden website)

The cast includes mezzo-soprano Amira Elmadfa (Clorinde). she is accompanied by female voices, solo viola, brass ensemble and metallic percussion ensemble. Max Renne conducts. Isabel Ostermann directs. The performance should last about 1 hour.

Today : world première of Aribert Reimann's 'L'Invisible' in Berlin

Today, the Deutsche Oper in Berlin presents the world première of L'Invisible, composed by Aribert Reimann, with a libretto in French by the composer after three short plays by Maurice Maeterlinck : Intruder, Interior and The Death of Tintagiles.

It is the composer's ninth opera, since Ein Traumspiel (Kiel, 1965). His operatic output includes Lear (Munich, 1978), Die Gespenstersonate (Berlin, 1984), Das Schloss (Berlin, 1992) and Medea (Vienna, 2010).

The three plays provided variations on the themes of the inescapable fact of death and people’s helplessness when faced with it. Spaces are created that are, at once, bourgeois salon and folk-tale castle, dream and nightmare vision. And the work features characters who, in their everyday conversations, try to distract people from the unutterability of their sorrow, cruelty, helplessness and fears. (reproduced from the Deutsche Oper Berlin website)

The cast includes soprano Rachel Harnisch, mezzo soprano Annika Schlicht, mezzo soprano Ronnita Miller, bass baritone Seth Carico, bass baritone Stephen Bronk and tenor Thomas Blondelle. Donald Runnicles conducts the Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper. Vasily Barkhatov directs.

A perusal score is available on the Schott music publisher website. The required orchestra is the following :

- Piccolo, 2 Flutes, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Heckelphone, Clarinet in E flat, Clarinet in B flat, Bass Clarinet in B flat, Double Bass Clarinet in B flat, 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon ;
- 4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in C, 3 Trombones, Tuba ;
- Timpani, 6 Gongs, 2 Harps
- Strings (12-12-10-8-6).

Today : world première of Mauro Montalbetti's 'Haye : le parole, la notte' in Reggio Emilia

Today, the Teatri di Reggio Emilia presents the world première of Mauro Montalbetti's new opera "Haye" : le parole, la notte, with a libretto di Alessandro Leogrande.

It is the third part of a trilogy dedicated to 'civil theater' that started with Il sogno di una cosa (Reggio Emilia, October 2017) and Corpi eretici (Reggio Emilia, 2015).

'Haye' means ‘Forward’ in Tigrino, a language diffused between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and sums up in a word the survival philosophy of the migrant : keep going, never go back. The theme of the work is that of the migrations, the tragedy of our time treated in parallel with our Italian emigrant past : a sort of reflection that changes the point of view of the problem, compared to the one offered by the media. (freely translated from the theater website)

The cast includes Cristina Zavalloni (Yasmina), Elizangela Torricelli (Luam), Gabriele Mari (Karim) and Alessandro Albertin (Politico). Francesco Bossaglia conducts the Orchestra, the Quartetto Mirus and the Zero Vocal Ensemble. Alina Marazzi directs.

The venue is the Teatro Ariosto.

Today : world première of Louis Mander's 'The Life to Come' by the Surrey Opera

Today, the Surrey Opera presents the world première of Louis Mander's opera The Life to Come, with a libretto by Stephen Fry after E. M. Forster's short story.

It is the composer's second opera after The Fallen Soldier (Belsize Opera, 2017).

A story of fated love between an African Prince and a zealous British Missionary. It addresses spiritual and religious conflicts amidst the tension between prejudices and freedom in Colonial Africa in the early 20th Century. (reproduced from the composer's website)

The cast includes tenor Martin Lindau (Paul Pinmay), baritone Jolyon Loy (Ronald), baritone Themba Mvula (Vithobai), baritone Jonathan Forbes Kennedy (Rev. Tregold) and mezzo Hannah Poulsom (Verily Romily). Jonathan Butcher conducts and directs. The venue is the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill, Surrey. Further performances in Croydon and Brighton in October.

The performance should last about 1 hour and 50 minutes, with one intermission.

The opera will also be performed by the Norwegian Opera in Oslo, conducted by tone Bianca Dahl and directed by Einar Bjørge.

Today : world première of Attila Kadri Şendil's 'The Town Musicians of Bremen' in Berlin

Today, the Komische Oper in Berlin presents the world première of The Town Musicians of Bremen, of children opera in two acts composed by Attila Kadri Şendil, with a libretto by Ulrich Lenz inspired by the Brothers Grimm's tale.

It is the composer's first opera.

A stubborn mule with a will of his own; a wild tearaway who isn’t in control of his own strength; gentleness personified, who wouldn’t hurt a soul; and a troublemaker who instantly voices every single emotion – these are the four companions whom fate brings together. Displaced, driven away, abandoned, abused and humiliated, they set out on their journey because »they can find a better place than this anywhere«. Bremen is the destination of their dreams. In the place where fairytales come true, they hope finally to find recognition, fame and fortune.  (reproduced from the Komische Oper website)

The cast includes bass Carsten Sabrowski (Donkey), tenor Adrian Strooper (Dog), mezzo Katarzyna Włodarczyk (Cat), soprano Andromahi Raptis (Cockerel), bass baritone Christian Tschelebiew (Ernst), and mezzo Christiane Oertel (Helga). Ivo Hentschel conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Komische Oper. Tobias Ribitzki directs.

Today : world première of 'The Colours of Clouds' by Rasmus Puur in Tallinn

Today, the Estonian National Opera in Tallinn presents the world première of The Colours of Clouds, an opera by Rasmus Puur, with a libretto by Laur Lomper based on Jaan Kruusvall's play.

It is the composer's first opera.

The idea of the opera is the fleeing of Estonians from their home country in the whirlwind of the events of World War II. The time, however, is not important in the case of leaving Estonia – people left during the war, they fled from the Soviet occupation, and are still migrating abroad in large numbers today, in the era of independence. The story of one family mirrors those of many Estonian families in the period of 1985–1991. The opera inquires whom the independence of Estonia was restored for if everyone now desires to move abroad. Why do caring and unity vanish so quickly to be replaced by the “everyone for themselves” principle ? (reproduced from the Estonian National Opera website)

The cast includes baritone Jassi Zahharov (Kaarel), mezzo Helen Lokuta (Ell), soprano Jane Shevtshenko (Lagle), tenor Mati Turi and mezzo Juuli Lill (Maria). Lauri Sirp conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Estonian National Opera. Roman Baskin directs.

Today : world première of David Hertzberg's 'The Wake World' in Philadelphia

Today, the Opera Philadelphia presents the world première of David Hertzberg's The Wake World, with a libretto by the composer himself based on Aleister Crowley's story.

It is the composer's second opera after The Rose Elf (Philadelphia, 2016).

In this world premiere, two of the early 20th century’s most prolific and polarizing artistic visionaries collide: physician, collector, and writer Dr. Albert C. Barnes (1872-1951) and Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), the British poet, magician, and occultist once dubbed the “wickedest man in the world.” Visitors will experience Dr. Barnes’s collection like never before as they follow a wide-eyed seeker and her guardian angel on a dreamlike voyage. Works of art jump off the gallery walls and into the action as the museum is transformed, drawing the audience through a mystical world of hallucinatory vividness. (reproduced from the Opera Philadelphia website)

The cast includes soprano Maeve Höglund (Lola), mezzo Rihab Chaieb (The Fairy Prince), soprano Rebecca Myers (Parthenope), soprano Veronica Chapman-Smith (Ligeia), tenor George Ross Somerville (Morbus) and baritone John David Miles (Pestilitas). Elizabeth Braden conducts and R. B. Schlather directs.

The performance should last about 75 minutes. It takes place at the Barnes Foundation.

Today : world première of Søren Nils Eichberg's 'Schönerland' in Wiesbaden

Today, the Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden presents the world première of Søren Nils Eichberg's opera Schönerland, with a libretto by Therese Schmidt.

©Henning Harms

It is the third opera by the composer, after Grete Minde (2009) and Glare (2014).

What can a European art form teach us about the search for a new home? In this newly commissioned work, the young Danish-German composer Søren Nils Eichberg seeks to open a dialogue - sometimes emotionally charged, sometimes tongue-in-cheek - which reflects on the power of opera in a world where being understood amidst strangers is just as important as understanding the cultures of others. (reproduced from the Hessisches Staatstheater website)

The cast includes baritone Thomas de Vries (Intendant), tenor Erik Biegel (The Composer), soprano Britta Stallmeister (Playwright / Young Woman), soprano Eleni Calenos (Saida), tenor Aaron Cawley (Dariush), alto Romina Boscolo (Aliyah) and bass baritone Florian Küppers (Omid). Albert Horne conducts the Chorus of the Hessisches Staatstheater and the Hessisches Staatsorchester. Johanna Wehner directs.

The performance should last about 95 minutes.

Today : world première of Roumain's 'We Shall Not Be Moved' in Philadelphia

Today, the Opera Philadelphia presents the world première of Daniel Bernard Roumain's opera We Shall Not Be Moved, with a libretto by Marc Bamuthi Joseph.

It is the composer's first opera. The opera is in three acts.

On the run after a series of tragic incidents, five North Philly teens find refuge in an abandoned, condemned house in West Philadelphia at the exact location that served as headquarters of the MOVE organization, where a 1985 standoff with police infamously ended with a neighborhood destroyed and 11 people dead, including five children. This self-defined family is assuaged and even inspired by the ghosts who inhabit this home and begin to see their squatting as a matter of destiny and resistance rather than urgent fear. (reproduced from the Opera Philadelphia website)

The cast includes performer Lauren Whitehead (Un / Sung), mezzo Kirstin Chavez (Glenda), countertenor John Holiday (John Blue), tenor Daniel Shirley (John Little), baritone Adam Richardson (John Mack) and bass baritone Aubrey Allicock (John Henry). Viswa Subbaraman conducts and Bill T. Jones directs.

The performance should last about two hours and five minutes, including a 20 minute intermission.

Today : world première of 'Elizabeth Cree' by Kevin Puts in Philadelphia

Today, the Opera Philadelphia presents the world première of Elizabeth Cree, a chamber opera composed by Kevin Puts, with a libretto by Mark Campbell based on Peter Ackroyd's novel The Trial of Elizabeth Cree.

It is the composer's third opera after Silent Night (Saint Paul, Minnesota Opera, November 12, 2011) and The Manchurian Candidate (Saint Paul, Minnesota Opera, March 7, 2015).

Set in London in the 1880s, this highly suspenseful and theatrical opera interweaves several narratives: the trial of the titular heroine for the poisoning of her husband; a series of brutal murders committed by a Jack the Ripper-style killer; the spirited world of an English music hall; and, finally, some “guest appearances” by luminaries from the Victorian Age. (reproduced from the Opera Philadelphia website)

The cast includes mezzo Daniela Mack (Elizabeth Cree), baritone Troy Cook (John Cree), tenor Joseph Gaines (Dan Leno), baritone Daniel Belcher (Inspector Kildare) and soprano Deanna Breiwick (Aveline Mortimer). Corrado Rovaris conducts and David Schweizer directs.

The performance should last about 90 minutes. The opera will also be performed at the Chicago Opera Theater in February 2018.

New programme books in my collection : Dove, Schnyder and Zender

I have recently acquired three new programme books for contemporary operas :

- Jonathan Dove, The Day After, London (ENO Studio Live), May 26, 2017 (half of a 32 pages brochure, the other half is about Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury) ;
- Daniel Schnyder, Charlie Parker's Yardbird, London (ENO at Hackney Empire), June 9, 2017 (24 pages brochure) ;
- Hans Zender, Stephen Climax, Brussels (La Monnaie), Novembre 10, 1990 (144 pages book).

I now have 488 programme books for contemporary operas. All scanned covers are in this flickr folder.

Today : world première of Synne Skouen's 'Ballerina' in Oslo

Today, the Norwegian Opera in Oslo presents the world première of Synne Skouen's chamber opera Ballerina, with a libretto by Oda Radoor based on Arne Skouen's play.  

(c) Lisbeth Risnes

It is the composer's first opera.

Ballerina introduces us to the world of the autistic teenager Malin. You will see the deep pond, the big bird, the circus horse, the farmyard tree Mr. Carl, the screeching gate Uncle Anton, and Mrs. Ludovica the millstone – all with “blue voices”... (reproduced from the Norwegian Opera website)

The cast includes mezzo Hege Høisæter (Audun), soprano Silje Marie Aker Johnsen (Malin), baritone Dagfinn Andersen (Audun), bass baritone Håvard Stensvold (Birger), and mezzo Tone Kummervold (Hanne). Bjarne Sakshaug conducts and Hilde Andersen directs.

The performance should last about 90 minutes, with no intermission. It takes place at the scene 2 of the Norwegian Opera Theatre, as part of the Ultima festival.

Today : world première of Sebastian Fagerlund's 'Höstsonaten' in Helsinki

Today, the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki presents the world première of Sebastian Fagerlund's Höstsonaten (Autumn Sonata), with a libretto by Gunilla Hemming after Ingmar Bergman's film.

It is the composer's second opera after Döbeln (Kokkola, 2009).

Its protagonists meet up in the dark hours of the night and end up having to question the choices they’ve made and their consequences. Underlying the drama, we have the eternal themes of forgiveness and the ability to accept other people as they are. (reproduced from the Finnish National Opera website)

The cast includes mezzo Anne Sofie von Otter (Charlotte Andergast), sopranoErika Sunnegårdh (Eva), baritone Tommi Hakala (Viktor), soprano Helena Juntunen (Helena) and bass Nicholas Söderlund (Leonardo). John Storgårds conducts the Orchestra and Choir of the Finnish National Opera. Stéphane Braunschweig directs.

The required orchestra is the following :

- 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 3 bassoons,
- 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba,
- percussion, piano
- strings

The opera is in 2 acts. The performance should last about 2 hours and 30 minutes, including 1 intermission. The opera will be recorded by YLE and will be available on the Opera Platform.

Today : world première of Jacques-Alphonse De Zeegant's 'La Brèche' in Sagunt

Today, the Sagunt a Escena Festival  presents the world première of Jacques-Alphonse De Zeegant's opera La Brèche, at the Roman amphitheatre.

It is the composer first opera, with a libretto in three parts written by Marguerite de Werszowec Rey, translating tales and legends into a contemporary and universal setting.

In Beauty and the Beast, the heroine wishes to restore to her husband the purity of his youth. In Orpheus and Eurydice, Eurydice sets out to save Orpheus from the Underworld. For the same reason, Madina intents to conquer the fires of darkness. (freely translated from the composer's website)

The cast includes soprano Veronika Dzhioeva (Madina), countertenor David Azurza (Seraphine), countertenor Flavio Oliver (Celeste), tenor Luis Damaso (Fernando) and tenor Alberto Guardiola (Francesco). Palmo Venneri conducts the Hulencourt Symphony Orchestra and Choir. Paco Azorin directs.