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.