Saturday 28 January 2017

Today : world première of John Frandsen's 'Martyriet' in Copenhagen


Today, the Cumulus Teatret presents the world première of John Frandsen's chamber opera Martyriet (The Martyrdom) at the Royal Danish Opera (Takkelloftet) in Copenhagen. The libretto in Danish was written by Vilhelm Topsøe.


It is the composer's 8th opera. His catalogue already includes Amalie (1995), i-k-o-n™ (2002), ½LELUJA (2002) and Et Dukkehjem (The Doll's House, after Henrik Ibsen, 2014).
Prior to World War II, Kaj Munk expressed great admiration for the German dictator Adolf Hitler. But during the Danish Occupation, he became such an outspoken opponent of the Nazi regime that he was liquidated by an SS patrol in January 1944. Kaj Munk gradually slips away from his family in his search for God’s plan for him. Meanwhile, his wife Lise tries in vain to persuade him to choose life as a father rather than martyrdom to his cause.(reproduced from the Danish Royal Opera website)
The cast includes countertenor Morten Grove Frandsen (Kaj Munk) and mezzo Liv Oddveig Midtmageli (Lise Munk).They are joined by the progressive folk music ensemble Kottos (recorders, accordion, bouzouki and cello). Tine Topsøe directs.

The performance should last about 75 minutes.

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