Sunday 21 May 2017

Today : world première of Gerald Resch's children opera 'Gullivers Reise' in Dortmund


Today, the Theater Dortmund presents the world première of Gerald Resch's opera Gullivers Reise, with a libretto by John von Düffel, freely adapted from Jonathan Swift's novel.

photo: www.georglembergh.com

It is the composer's third stage work.
After his ship has capsized in a storm, the young Gulliver is washed ashore on the beach of a strange island. The people are tiny here on Lilliput – or looked at the other way around, Gulliver is unimaginably large to these people. It is therefore no wonder that they fear this foreign giant and would like to hunt him down like a stranded whale. But the clever girl Vaniliput considers the intruder to be harmless and convinces her fellow citizens that they should first become acquainted with him. The good-natured Gulliver needs a very great deal of food by Lilliputian standards, but makes himself useful in return by driving away an enemy fleet from Lilliput’s coast. Through his peacefulness, however, he makes an enemy of the powerful Admiral Skyresch, who is only waiting for an opportunity to harm Gulliver. When Gulliver saves the burning royal palace by emptying the contents of his bladder onto it, the tolerance of both sides is put to a foul-smelling test. (reproduced from the Sikorski Verlag website)
The cast includes tenor Joshua Whitener (Gulliver), soprano Ashley Thouret or Tamara Weimerich (Prinzessin Rosalila), mezzo Almerija Delic (Vaniliput) and bass Luke Stoker (Steuermann / Skyrech). Ingo Martin Stadtmüller conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Theater Dortmund. Marcelo Diaz directs.

The orchestra setting is the following (reproduced from the Sikorski website) :

- 2 flutes (also piccolo), 2 oboes (also English horn), 2 clarinets (also alto saxophone in E flat), 2 bassoons (also contrabassoon) ;
- 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones (2. doubling tenorbass trombone) ;
- 5 percussionists ;
- harp, piano (doubling celesta) and strings.

The performance should last about 75 minutes, with no interval.

Friday 12 May 2017

Today : world première of Ravi Shankar's 'Sukanya' in Leicester


Today, the Royal Opera House, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Curve Theatre in Leicester presents the posthumous world première of Ravi Shankar's opera Sukanya, with a libretto by Amit Chaudhuri based on the Mahabharata.


The score has been completed by David Murphy.
After a terrible mistake leaves the ancient sage Chyavana blinded, the beautiful princess Sukanya finds herself marrying for the sake of her kingdom. As a pair of swaggering, meddling gods watch this unlikely union blossom, will love grow in the strangest of circumstances ? (reproduced from the Curve Theatre website)
The cast includes soprano Susanna Hurrell  (Sukanya), tenor Alok Kumar (Chyayana), bass baritone Keel Watson (King Shaariyati), baritone Njabulo Madlala and baritone Michel de Souza (Aswini Twins). David Murphy conducts the BBC Singers and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Suba Das directs.

After the first performance in Leicester, it will be presented in Salford (The Lowry), Birmingham (Symphony Hall) and London (Royal Festival Hall).

Saturday 6 May 2017

Today : world première of 'The long, long journey' by Johan Ramström in Stockholm


Today, the Royal Swedish Opera presents the world première of Den långa, långa resan (The long, long journey), a children opera by Johan Ramström, with a libretto by Sigrid Herrault based on the book by Rose Lagercrantz.

 
It is the composer's first opera.
There is unrest in the land. Ilon and her dog move to her grandmother’s house in a little town by the sea. But war breaks out and she has to flee the country alone. She packs her bag and ends up on a boat crossing the stormy sea. She arrives safely in Sweden, and joins her colourful aunt. War forced Ilon to leave her crayons behind, but now the vibrant sketches return. (reproduced from the Royal Swedish Opera website)
The cast includes soprano Sanns Gibbs (Ilon), baritone Linus Flogell (Sammeli), mezzo Ingrid Tobiasson (Farmor) and mezzo Ulrika Skarby (Elsa / Faster). Musicians of the Kungliga Hovkapellet are conducted by Anna Christensson. Ellen Lamm directs.

The performance takes place at the Rotundan of the opera house. It should last about 50 minutes.