Thursday 14 September 2017

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.

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