New programme book in my collection : 'Marx in London' by Jonathan Dove

Yesterday, I have received the programme book published by Theater Bonn for the world première of Marx in London by Jonathan Dove, first performed on December 9, 2018.

It is a 44 pages brochure. It contains :

- Die Handlung, 24 Stunden im Leben des Karl Marxs (Synopsis, 24 hours in Marx's life) ;
- Das historisch belegte Personal (the historic characters) ;
- Helmut Trotnow : Ein Leben mit und für Karl Marx : dennoch Karl, ich fühl' keine Reue ;
- Jonathan Dove über Marx in London, interview with the composer ;
- Jürgen R. Weber über Marx in London, interview with the author of the original scenario ;
- biographies of composer Jonathan Dove, librettist Charles Hart and Jürgen R. Weber ;
- Jens Baumeister : Die Weinfreunde Marx und Engel.

The programme doesn't include the cast or biographies of the artists.

I now have 608 programme books for contemporary operas. You can see all the scanned covers in this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Momo' by Wilfried Hiller in Munich

Today, the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich presents the world première of Momo, a music theatre piece in 2 acts and 18 scenes composed by Wilfried Hiller, with a libretto in German by Wolfgang Adenberg based on the fairy tale novel by Michael Ende.

(c) Astrid Ackermann

Wilfried Hiller has already composed several stage works for children, including Das Traumfresserchen (1991), Peter Pan (1997), Pinocchio (2002) and Königin Gisela (2010).

Little Momo lives modestly in seclusion outside the gates of an idyllic small town. The little girl has lots of friends, as she possesses the rare gift of being able to listen to others. But one day, the mysterious Grey Gentlemen appear in the town and talk people into saving time. With the support of the wise master Hora, she declares war on the Grey Gentlemen. (reproduced from the Gärtnerplatztheater website)

The cast includes actress Anna Woll (Momo), tenor Maximilian Mayer (Gigi), baritones Holger Ohlmann (Beppo), Frank Berg (Herr Fusi) and David Spanhel (Nicola). Michael Brandstätter conducts Orchestra, Choir and Children's Choir of the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz. Nicole Claudia Weber directs.

The required orchestra is the following (reproduced from the full score) :

- 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), oboe d'amore, 2 clarinets in Bb ;
- 3 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 2 trombones, tuba ;
- percussion (4 players) ;
- harp, piano ;
- strings.

The score is published by Schott Music. A perusal score is available on their website.

Programme book for 'Die Weiden' by Johannes Maria Staud in Vienna

This morning, I have received the programme book published by the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) for the world première performance of Die Weiden, an opera composed by Johannes Maria Staud with a libretto by Durs Grünbein, on December 8, 2018.

It is a 140 pages book. It contains :

- Inhaltsangabe and Ausführliche Inhaltsangabe ;
- several color photos of rehearsals ;
- technical details : complete cast with tessitura, litterature sources, location and time of the action, complete orchestral setting (with detailed percussion section and musicians on stage), duration, cast for the first performance ;
- detailed biography of the composer Johannes Maria Staud ;
- detailed biography of the librettist Durs Grünbein ;
- list of operas composed by Staud ;
- excerpt of Die Weiden by Algernon Blackwood ;
- excerpt of Das Herz der Finsternis by Joseph Conrad ;
- Andreas Lang : Ein Fluss als Protagonist ;
- Johannes Maria Staud : Anmerkungen über die Musik der Weiden ;
- excerpt of Der arme Spielmann by Franz Grillparzer ;
- Oliver Rathkolb : Die Todesmärche von Engerau ;
- Miklos Radnoti : Gewaltmarsch 1944 (poem) ;
- Peter Filzmaier : Die Welt der Demagogen und Populisten ;
- Franz Tumler : Sätze von der Donau (poem) ;
- Rotraud A. Perner : 'Aber vielleicht war all das nur Wahnsinn' ;
- Ilse Aichinger : excerpt of Unglaubwürdige Reisen ;
- Konrad Paul Liessmann : 'Dreitausend Jahre denken' ;
- Hans Dieter Schäfer : Die unsichtbare Tätowierung ;
- Andreas Lang : Aber Lea verkarpft nicht..., discussion with Johannes Maria Staud and Durs Grünbein ;
- Oliver Lang : Eine Oper zum Leben erweckt, dialogue with conductor Ingo Metzmacher ;
- Andreas Lang : Eine Oper als Interpretation der Wirklichkeit, dialogue with director Andrea Moses ;
- Urs Dürbein : epilogue of the libretto.

The book is entirely in German. The Vienna State Opera has also published an English version of this book.

I now have 607 programme books for contemporary operas. You can see all the scanned covers in this flickr folder.

The three libretti written by Durs Grünbein for Joahnnes Maria Staud (Berenice, Munich, 2004, Die Antilope, Lucerne, September 3, 2014 and Die Weiden) have been published in a single volume by Suhrkamp.

Today : world première of 'Marx in London' by Jonathan Dove in Bonn

Today, the Theater Bonn presents the world première of Marx in London, an opera composed by Jonathan Dove, with a libretto in English by Charles Hart based on an original script by Jürgen R. Weber.

Jonathan Dove is a prolific opera composer. Among his previous works for the stage are Flight (1998), The Adventures of Pinocchio (2007), Swanhunter (2009) Mansfield Park (2011) and The Day After (2015).

A day in the life of the Marx family. One of the most famous philosophers and an icon of politics, founder of one of the most influential systems of thought, in his human all-too-human everyday life. But also a day in a one of the most modern cities, London : a crazy, entertaining, exciting, but also typical day in all its dynamics and contradictions. (freely adapted from the Theater Bonn website)

The cast includes baritone Mark Morouse (Marx), soprano Yannick-Muriel Noah (Jenny), soprano Marie Heeschen (Tussi), tenor Christian Georg (Freddy), mezzo Ceri Williams (Helene), tenor Johannes Mertes (Engels) and tenor David fischer (Spy). David Parry conducts the Beethoven Orchester Bonn and the Chorus of the Theater Bonn. Jürgen R. Weber directs.

Today : world première of 'Die Weiden' by Johannes Maria Staud in Vienna

Today, the Wiener Staatsoper presents the world première of Die Weiden (The Willows), an opera in six parts, four passages, one prolog, one prelude, one interlude and an epilogue composed by Johannes Maria Staud with a libretto by Durs Grünbein.

It is the composer's third opera after Berenice (Munich, 2004) and Die Antilope (Luzern, 2014).

The opera is a journey 'into the heart of darkness' on a major river in Central Europe today, which can unquestionably be identified as the Danube. The events are fluctuating between a travel story of two lovers falling out with each other and a surreally distorted observation of the threatening developments today. We achieve this by means of pandemoniac hallucinations on the part of one of the protagonists, as well as by the transformation motif of a man-carp. (reproduced from the Breitkopf & Härtel website)

The cast includes mezzo Rachel Frankel (Lea), baritone Tomasz Konieczny (Peter), tenor Thomas Ebenstein (Edgar), soprano Andrea Carroll (Kitty), mezzo Monika Bohinec (Lea's Mother), tenor Herbert Lippert (Lea's Father), alto Zoryana Kushpler (Peter's Mother) and bass Alexandru Moisiuc (Peter's Father). Ingo Metzmacher conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Wiener Staatsoper. Andrea Moses directs.

The required orchestra is the following (reproduced from the publisher's website) :

- 3 flutes (doubling alto flute and piccolo), 3 oboes (doubling English horn and musette), 3 clarinets (doubling bassethorn and double bass clarinet), soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, 2 double bassoons ;
- 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba ;
- timpani and percussion (4 players) ;
- harp, piano ;
- strings (14.12.10.8.6).

The performance should last about 3 hours, including the intermission. The score is published by Breitkopf & Härtel.

Today : world première of 'p r i s m' by Ellen Reid in Los Angeles

Today, the Los Angeles Opera and Beth Morrison Projects present the world première of p r i s m, an opera composed by Ellen Reid, with a libretto by Roxie Perkins.

It is the composer's third opera after Winter's Child and Hopscotch, a mobile opera for 24 cars (Los Angeles, 2015).

Locked away in a sterile room, a sickly child, Bibi, and her doting mother, Lumee, are each other’s sole protectors from the unknown. When a mysterious illness lurking outside their door leaves Bibi unable to walk, her youthful curiosity begins to simmer and a seductive external existence can no longer be ignored. (reproduced from the Prototype Festival website)

The cast includes soprano Anna Schubert (Bibi), mezzo Rebecca Jo Loeb (Lumee) and Members of the Choir of Trinity Wall Street (Chroma). Julian Wachner conducts the cast and orchestra. James Darrah directs.

The performance should last about 2 hours, including one intermission. The venue is Redcat, in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex. The opera will also be performed in New York in January 2019 at La MaMa First Floor Theater as part of the Prototype Festival.

Today : two new chamber operas in Brno

Today, the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno presents the world première performance of two chamber operas : Falstaff by Jiří Najvar, with a libretto in Czech based on Shakespeare's character, and The Unknown Lady (Neznámá) by Daniel Šimek with a libretto in Czech based on Alexander Blok's play.

Both composers are students at the Academy.

From his comfortable place in the guest house “At the suspender”, he undertakes daring love affairs with Windsor townswomen Alice and Markéta. However, Alice and Markéta always outwit Falstaff with the help of Mrs. Quickly. Falstaff may appear to be a naïve fool who always gets tricked but he reveals his philosophy at the end of the opera: if it weren´t for his clumsiness and complete irresponsibility, life would be boring and the townspeople would be unable to show off how virtuous they are.

The heroes of the opera are a Poet who is looking for an unknown girl and the “Unknown” girl herself, who is named Marie and is a star which has fallen to earth. The main theme of the opera is the search for one´s own ideal, and the situations when one really recognizes it. (reproduced from the Janacek Academy website)

Both operas will be performed by students of the Academy. The venue is the Orli Street Theatre.

Today : world première of 'Nous sommes éternels' by Pierre Batholomée in Metz

Today, the Opéra Théâtre Metz Métropole presents the world première of Nous sommes éternels (We Are Eternal), an opera in 3 acts composed by Pierre Batholomée with a libretto by Pierrette Fleutiaux and Jérôme Fronty after Fleutiaux's own novel.

It is the composer's third opera after Œdipe sur la route (Brussels, 2003) and La Lumière Antigone (Brussels, 2007).

Estelle, the only survivor of her family, seeks to understand the lie of her childhood and the destruction of her family. Dan and Estelle, brought up as brother and sister, loved each other with a crazy love, which they thought forbidden. Fate has fallen on them as on the rest of the family. "We are eternal," they said as children ... (freely adapted from the Opéra de Metz website)

The cast includes soprano Karen Vourc'h (Estelle), soprano Aline Metzinger (Nicole), mezzo Joëlle Charlier (Tirésia), tenor Sébastien Guèze (Dan), baritone Mikhael Piccone (Alwyn) and baritone Mathieu Gardon (Helleur). Patrick Davin conducts the Orchestre national de Lorraine. Vincent Goethals directs.

The performance should last 2 hours and 5 minutes, with no intermission.

Today : world première of 'Fin de partie' by György Kurtag in Milan

Today, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan presents the world première of Fin de partie, an opera in one act composed by György Kurtag, with a libretto based on Samuel Beckett's play.

(c) Andrea Felvégi

It is the composer's first opera.

The setting is a bare, partially underground room, serving as shelter for the four characters: Hamm the master, Clov his servant, and Hamm's father and mother, Nagg and Nell (who live in garbage cans). Hamm is in a wheelchair and makes Clov move him around the room, fetch objects, and look out the window for signs of life. Outside all seems dead and nothing happens. Inside, the characters pass the time mortifying each other and toying with fears and illusions of a possible change, all along sensing the inevitability of their end. (reproduced from Dr. Fidel Fajardo-Acosta's website)

The cast includes bass baritone Frode Olsen (Hamm), baritone Leigh Melrose (Clov), contralto Hilary Summers (Nell) and tenor Leonardo Cortellazzi (Nagg). Markus Stenz conducts the Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala. Pierre Audi directs.

The first performance will be broadcast live by Rai Radio 3. The opera will later be performed in Amsterdam in March 2019, with exactly the same cast.

The score is published by Editio Musica Budapest.

Today : world première of 'i.c.o.n.' by Frederik Neyrinck in Kortrijk

Today, the Next Festival in Kortrijk (Courtrai) presents the world première of i.c.o.n., an opera composed by Frederik Neyrinck, with a libretto by Sabryna Pierre.

It is the composer's first opera.

After almost one and a half century, the death mask of L'inconnue de la Seine keeps fascinating us. The mysterious smile on the face of this young unknown woman, who was supposed to have drowned in the Seine, meanwhile has acquired cult status. The opera shifts the myth to the contemporary visual culture, thus giving the initial impetus to a universal story about beauty, transitoriness and death. It is a hybrid mix of photo shoot, filmset and concert, throwing a light on how we deal with the human portrait today. There is live portraying on stage and quasi immediately photo and film appear on the screen. The border between the artist on stage and the spectactor in the audience is blurred. Icon becomes beholder, model becomes photographer, man becomes woman and victim in its turn perpetrator. (reproduced from the Next Festival website)

The cast includes soprano Liselot De Wilde and actor Tibo Vandenborre. Joey Marijs conducts the Asko Schönberg Ensemble. Charlotte Bouckaert and Steve Salembier (Atelier Bildraum) direct.

The venue is Budascoop in Kortrijk. The production will then travel to Amsterdam (Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ), Gent (Minardschouwburg), Luxembourg (Grand Théâtre, Studio), Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Lisbon) and deSingel (Antwerpen).

Today : world première of 'Schoenberg in Hollywood' by Tod Machover in Boston

Today, the Boston Lyric Opera presents the world première of Schoenberg in Hollywood, an opera composed by Tod Machover with a libretto by Simon Robson based on a scenario by Braham Murray.

It is the composer's sixth opera after, among others, Valis (Paris, 1987), Resurrection (Houston, 1999) and Death and the Powers (Monaco, September 2010).

The brilliant composer Arnold Schoenberg fled the darkness and despair of Hitler’s Europe and found himself in 1930s Hollywood — a bold, new world of golden sunshine and camera-ready beauty. Can he find a way to reconcile reflection with action, and tradition with revolution ? What is the meaning of art in the wake of atrocity ? (reproduced from the BLO website)

The cast includes baritone Omar Ebrahim (Schoenberg), soprano Sara Womble (Girl) and tenor Jesse Darden (Boy). David Angus conducts the orchestra. Karole Armitage directs.

The venue is the Robert J. Orchard Stage at the Emerson/Paramount Center. The performance should last about 90 minutes, with no intermission.

New audio and video recordings in my collection

I have recently acquired the following recordings of contemporary operas :

- John Adams : Doctor Atomic, conducted by John Adams, recorded in London (April 2017), published by Nonesuch Records (CD) ;
- Brett Dean : Hamlet, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, directed by Neil Armfield, recorded in Glyndebourne (July 2017), published by Opus Arte (Blu-ray) ;
- Sebastian Fagerlund : Höstsonaten (Autumn Sonata), conducted by John Storgårds, recorded in Helsinki (September 2017), published by Bis (CD) ;

- John Harbison : Winter's Tale, conducted by Gil Rose, recorded at Mechanics Hall (Worcester, MA) in March 2009, published by BMOP Sound (CD) ;
- Bo Holten : Gesualdo Shadows, conducted by Bo Holten, directed by Deda Cristina Colonna, recorded at The Funen Opera, Odense (November 2016), published by Dacapo (DVD) ;
- Tod Machover : Death and the Powers, conducted by Nicole Paiement, directed by Diane Paulus, recorded in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, Dallas, TX (February 2014), published by the Dallas Opera (Blu-ray) ;

 
- Thea Musgrave : Mary, Queen of Scots, conducted by Peter Mark, recorded in Norfolk (VA) in April 1979, published by Lyrita (CD) ;
- Marcello Panni : Hanjo, conducted by Carlo Boccadoro, directed by Cesare Scarton, recorded in Teatro Palladium in Rome (November 2016), published by EMA Vinci Records (DVD) ;

 
- Seppo Pohjola : The Closet and My Dearest, conducted by Tuomas Rousi, recorded in Kuusankoski (September 2007) and published by Alba (CD) ;
- Aribert Reimann : L'Invisible, conducted by Donald Runnicles, recorded in Berlin (October 2017) and published by Oehms Classics (CD) ;

- Alessandro Solbiati : Leggenda, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, directed by Stefano Poda, recorded in Torino (September 2011), published by EMA Vinci Records (DVD) ;
- Maurizio Squillante : The Wings of Daedalus, recorded in Rome (2008) and published by Wergo (CD).

I have catalogued all my opera recordings on LibraryThing.

Today : world première of 'Falscher Verrat' by Marco Tutino in Kiel

Today, the Theater Kiel presents the world première of Falscher Verrat (False Betrayal), an opera composed by Marco Tutino, with a libretto in German by Luca Rossi and Wolfgang Haendeler inspired by the Kiel mutiny in November 1918.

Marco Tutino has already composed several operas, including Senso (Palermo, January 2011), Le Braci (Budapest, October 2014), La Ciociara (Two Women, San Francisco, June 2015) and Miseria e nobilta (Genova, February 2018).

It is the fictitious story about the sailor Gabriel, the Lieutenant Commander Arno von Stahl and Gabriel's childhood friend Henriette, now Lola the prostitute. Political convictions and intentions are overshadowed by private feelings : the officer Arno wants to support the uprising, but is betrayed out of jealousy by the sailor Gabriel. In the end, both men perish, but the rebellion can not be stopped. Lola, the woman between the two men, survives. (freely adapted from the Kiel Theater website)

The cast includes soprano Agnieszka Hauzer (Lola), tenor Michael Müller-Kasztelan (Gabriel Jensen), bass Tomohiro Takada (Arno von Stahl), mezzo Tatia Jibladze (Elsa von Stahl), bass baritone Jörg Sabrowski (Rufus Kropp), bass baritone Matteo Maria Ferretti (Richard) and tenor Fred Hoffmann (Helmut Schulze Rohr). Georg Fritzsch conducts the Orchestra, the Chorus and the Children's Chorus of the Kiel Opera House. Daniel Karazek directs.

The performance should last 2 hours and 30 minutes, including the interval.

Today : world première of 'November 1918' by Stefan Lano in Weimar

Today, the Deutsches Nationaltheater in Weimar presents the world première of November 1918, an opera composed by Stefan Lano, with a libretto by André Bücker and Beate Seidel based on Alfred Döblin's novel.

It is the composer's first opera.

The soldier Friedrich Becker returns home to Berlin broken and traumatised from World War I. Nonetheless, he is determined to find a new purpose in life. But he hardly recognises Berlin anymore, its foundation shaken by revolution. His hope for »sweet peace« seems to vanish in the face of everyday life. He observes the political bickering between left- and right-wing factions, the radicalisation of the Spartakists, the conservative and military elite biding their time until they can seize power again, the shameless actions of the Allied victors.
But Becker refuses to give up. He becomes a school teacher and gives classes in his beloved subject German. During his lessons, he tries to teach his students humanistic values. However, he bitterly discovers the futility of this project in a country humiliated in defeat and whose nationalistic pride would culminate in a fascist dictatorship only ten years later. (reproduced from the DNT website)

The cast includes actor Max Landgrebe (Friedrich Becker), actress Johanna Geißler (Rosa Luxemburg) and soprano Heike Porstein (Engel). Stefan Lano conducts the Staatskapelle Weimar. André Bücker directs.

Today : world première of 'Lorelei' by Julian Langdon in Melbourne

Today, the Victorian Opera in Melbourne presents the world première of Lorelei, an opera-cabaret composed by Julian Langdon, with a libretto by Casey Bennetto and Gillian Cosgriff.

It is not the composer's first opera.

All aboard ! You’re on a boat, sailing down the River Rhine in Germany heading toward a particularly tricky bend in the river. A bend which few vessels manage to navigate without crashing and where sailors always drown.
Legend has it that it’s because of three sirens, the Lorelei, who sit atop the cliffs singing a song so alluring and irresistible that the sailors can’t seem to stay focused on the task at hand. You’ll meet this famous trio, who will prepare you to hear the most incredible songs of your life.
But you’ve caught the Lorelei on an odd day. Because today they're wondering if they’re sick of singing sailors to their death. Do they all really deserve to die ? Can the Lorelei help being so irresistible ?
The Lorelei seem to be having a crisis of conscience. Maybe they’ll shake things up a bit and see what happens if they change their tune. (reproduced from the Victorian Opera website)

The cast includes mezzo Dimity Shepherd (Lorelei A), soprano Ali McGregor (Lorelei B) and soprano Antoinette Halloran (Lorelei C). Phoebe Briggs conducts the Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra. Sarah Giles directs.

The performance should last 75 minutes. The venue is the Coopers Malthouse, Merlyn Theatre.

New programme books in my collection

I have recently acquired several programme books for contemporary operas :

- Jonas S. Bohlin, Tristessa, Stockholm, October 6, 2018
It is a 28 pages brochure. It contains :
- complete cast and crew with B & W headshots ;
- synopsis (in Swedish and English) ;
- Torbjörn Elensky : Angela Carter satte allt på spel (Angela Carter put everything at stake) ;
- Torbjörn Eriksson : interview with Katharina Thoma ;
- Katarina Aronsson : Operan är scenkonstens moder (Opera is the mother of the performing arts), interview with visual artist Ann-Sofi Sidén ;
- Jonas S. Bohlin : Känslan av att stå utanför är en erfarenhet som påverkat mitt liv (The feeling of standing outside is an experience that has affected my life) ;
- Tiina Rosenberg : Divor är trasiga tanter, excerpt of HBTQ spelar roll (LGBT plays a role) ;
- several color photos.
The brochure is entirely in Swedish, unless otherwise stated.

- Niklas Brommare, När då då, Stockholm, October 13, 2018
It is a 28 pages brochure. It contains :
- complete cast and crew with B & W headshots ;
- color photos of rehearsals and drawings (sketches of characters), with quotes of the libretto.
The brochure is entirely in Swedish.

- Christian Diendorfer, Die Wand, Linz, Septembre 16, 2018
It is a 32 pages brochure. It contains :
- complete cast and crew ;
- synopsis ;
- Ira Goldbecher : Marlen Haushofer, kurze biografische Einblicke ;
- Hermann Schneider : Zum Libretto ;
- Dialogue with Eva-Maria Melbye (director) and Marcus Olson (set designer) : Eine poetische Neufassung ;
- Composer's biography ;
- several color photos.
The brochure is entirely in German.

 - Adam Gorb, The Path to Heaven, Leeds, June 19, 2018
It is a 20 pages brochure. It contains :
- complete cast and crew ;
- synopsis ;
- biographies of artists with color headshots ;
- color photos of rehearsals ;
- complete libretto.
The brochure is entirely in English.

- Michael Jarrell, Bérénice, Paris, September 29, 2018
It is a 136 pages book. It contains :
- Complete cast ;
- In Brief (French and English) ;
- Synopsis and Characters (Franch and English) ;
- Timeline (French and English) ;
- Michael Jarrell : Faire chanter le français de Racine ;
- Philippe Albèra : Un portrait de Michael Jarrell ;
- Julia de Gasquet : L'instant et le moment : l'alexandrin métamorphosé ;
- Georges Forestier : Racine et le choix de Bérénice ;
- Christian-Georges Schwentzel : La reine "amie" et l'empereur ;
- Konrad Kuhn : Une pièce contemporaine ;
- Nathalie Azoulai : Tous les cahots de l'abandon (excerpt of Titus n'aimait pas Bérénice) ;
- complete libretto ;
- B & W photos of rehearsals ;
- biographies of the artists, with B& W headshots.
The book is entirely in French, unless otherwise stated.

- David Sawer, The Skating Rink, Wormsley (Garsington Opera), July 5, 2018
It is a 128 pages book that contains information on all four operas performed this year. There are actually 10 pages about The Skating Rink, not included the artists' biographies. It contains :
- complete cast and crew ;
- synopsis ;
- Creative Collaboration, David Sawer and Rory Mullarkey in conversation with Fiona Maddocks ;
- Chris Andrews : Roberto Bolaño and 'The Skating Rink' ;
- Enric's dream of skating, excerpt of Bolañ's The Skating Rink.
Biographies of artists with B & W headshots are included in the general roster for the Festival.

Other new programmes for past operas :

- Thomas Adès, Powder Her Face, Irish National Opera, Wexford, February 24, 2018. The opera was first performed in 1995. I also have the programme book for performances in Bologna (November 2010) ;
- Harrison Birtwistle, The Last Supper, Berlin (Staatsoper Unter den Linden), April 18, 2000 (world première). It contains a leaflet with complete cast and crew and another leaflet with biographies ot the artists ;
- Friedrich Cerha, Onkel Präsident, Munich (Gärtnerplatztheater im Prinzregententheater), June 1st, 2013 (world première) ;

- Silvia Colasanti, La metamorfosi, Firenze (Teatro Goldoni), March 9, 2014. The opera was first performed in the same theatre in May 2012 ;
- Nico Muhly, Two Boys, London (English National Opera), June 24, 2011 (world première) ;

- Hans Schanderl, Der Maschinist, Magdeburg, September 23, 2000. The opera was first performed on September 16, 2000 in Hannover. It contains a separate leaflet with the complete cast and crew ;
- Marco Tutino, Le Braci, Firenze, November 5, 2015. The opera was first performed in Budapest in October 2014.

I now have 599 programme books for contemporary operas. I have scanned all the covers and uploaded them to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Le Miroir d'Alice' by Thomas Nguyen in Reims

Today, the Opéra de Reims presents the world première of Le Miroir d'Alice (Alice's Mirror), a children opera composed by Thomas Nguyen with a libretto by Brigitte Macadré based on Lewis Carroll.

It is the composer's third opera after La petite marchade d'allumettes (after Andersen's tale, Reims, 2011) and La Tranchée des Berlingots (Reims, 2015).

Since Alice and her friends can not repeat their end-of-year piece, they decide to go to the Hanging Rock, whose mysterious atmosphere will help them focus. But one of the girls, Paula, disappears, victim of a strange curse. Alice decides to go looking for her and her quest will take her to the Mirror World, with a white rabbit for a guide ... (freely adapted from the Opéra de Reims website)

The cast includes mezzo Ambroisine Bré (Alice), mezzo Victoire Bunel (Paula / The Mad Hatter / The Cheshire Cat), soprano Judith Derouin (Young Paula, The White Rabbit), soprano Amandine Ammirati (Paula's Double / The White Queen), tenor Etienne Duhil de Bénazé (Paula's Brother / The White Knight / The Jack of Hearts), baritone Igor Bouin (Louis / The March Hare / The Red King / Tweedledum) and baritone Romain Dayez (Martin / Dormouse / Red Knight / Tweedledee). Bertrand Causse conducts the Orchestra. Gauthier Lefèvre directs.

The performance should last about 90 minutes.

Today : world première of 'Hadrian' by Rufus Wainwright in Toronto

Today, the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto presents the world première of Hadrian, an opera in four acts composed by Rufus Wainwright, with a libretto in English and Latin by Daniel MacIvor.

It is the composer's second opera after Prima Donna (Manchester, 2009).

Emperor Hadrian is devastated after his lover Antinous drowns in the Nile River. While matters of state encroach on his grief, and advisors clamour for war against a radical new threat to the Empire, Hadrian slips out of time to re-encounter the vision and reality of Antinous—and learn the truth about what happened on the Nile. (reproduced from the COC website)

The cast includes baritone Thomas Hampson (Hadrian), soprano Karita Mattila (Plotina), tenor Isaiah Bell (Antinous), soprano Ambur Braid (Sabina), tenor Ben Heppner (Dinarchus) and bass David Leigh (Turbo). Johannes Debus conducts the COC Orchestra and Chorus. Peter Hinton directs.

The performance should last about 3 hours, including a 20 minutes interval. The venue is the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Today : world première of 'När då då' by Niklas Brommare in Stockholm

Today, the Royal Swedish Opera presents the world première of När då då, a children opera composed by Niklas Brommare, with a libretto by Pija Lindenbaum.

It is the composer's first opera.

Every Saturday, Bobo packs her bag and goes to stay with her dad at Adelsgatan fifty-two/52– along with her cuddly toys Ape and Bunny. Her dad, or daddy, promises to take her to the moon. And did that happen ? No. Then daddy promises to take her to Bollnäs, to see granny. And did that happen ? No. After daddy's promises and promises and promises and promises – Bobo puts her foot down... (reproduced from the Royal Swedish Opera website)

The cast includes soprano Vivianne Holmberg (Bobo 1), soprano Lisa Larsson (Bobo 2), and baritone Ludvig Wallmark Ryberg (Kaninen). Mattias Böhm conducts musicians from the Royal Swedish Orchestra. Kajsa Giertz directs.

The venue is the Rotundan. The performance should last about 55 minutes. The opera will also be performed at the Stadsteater in Helsingborg, starting on November 17, 2018.

Today : world première of 'Tristessa' by Jonas S. Bohlin in Stockholm

Today, the Royal Swedish Opera presents the world première of Tristessa, an opera in two acts, composed by Jonas S. Bohlin, with a libretto in English by Torbjörn Elensky and Jonas S. Bohlin after Angela Carter's The Passion of New Eve.

(c) Anna Gerdén

It is the composer's second opera after Three Sins (1995).

Tristessa is an unattainable movie star. Evelyn is a young man who moves to a future, dystopian New York. There he meets Leilah, a prostitute with whom he starts a relationship. Leilah is also part of a female guerrilla fighter pack, led by the uber matriarch Mother. The fighters kidnap Evelyn and against his will he undergoes a sex change operation and is given the name Eve. After escaping from New York, Eve ends up in the harem of a man called Zero in the middle of the dessert. Zero, just like Eve, is obsessed by Tristessa and together they head for the film star’s palace… (reproduced from the Royal Swedish Opera website)

The cast includes soprano Kerstin Avemo (Leilah / Lilith), soprano Johanna Rudström (Eve / Young Tristessa), soprano Susan Végh (Nurse Sophia), tenor Joel Annmo (Evelyn / Old Tristessa) and bass baritone John Erik Eleby (Zero / Mother). Fredrik Burstedt conducts the Royal Swedish Orchestra and Choir. Katharina Thoma directs.

The required orchestra is the following (reproduced from the composer's website) :

- 2 flutes plus 1 piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets plus 1 bass clarinet, 2 bassoons plus 1 contrabassoon ;
- 3 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones plus 1 bass trombone ;
- 4 percussion ;
- 1 celeste, 1 harp, 1 harpsichord ;
- strings.

The performance should last about 2 hours, interval included.

Today : world première of 'Nacht bis Acht' by François Sarhan in Berlin

Today, the Deutsche Oper Berlin presents the world première of Nacht bis Acht, a musical theatre composed by François Sarhan for all aged 6 and over, with a libretto by the composer.

It is the composer's second opera after A King, Lear (Le Havre, 2010).

Fedora is playing with her magpie when she should actually be asleep, because her alarm clock is due to go off at 8 am the next morning. But then strange things begin to happen. The clocks start to play up and a clockmaker sets about trying to save time. The sun bearer has problems with a moon reluctant to rise. Seafarers responsible for the daily ebb and flow of the tides are thrown off their stroke. Situations and characters become more and more absurd as Fedora bumps into a pair of twins dead set on rowing across the Atlantic or is challenged to a game of table tennis by a tiger who then turns into a wild guitar. (reproduced from the Deutsche Oper website)

The cast includes soprano Meechot Marrero (Fedora), baritone Thomas Lehman (Sun Carrier / Miss Soupbowl / Don Quixote). The soloists are accompanied by a guitar (Seth Josel, who also performs the character of Sancho), a clarinet and a piano (conductor Elda Laro). Anselm Dalferth directs.

The venue is the Tischlerei. The performance starts at 4 pm and should last about 45 minutes.

Today : world première of 'Bérénice' by Michael Jarrell in Paris

Today, the Opéra national de Paris presents the world première performance of Bérénice, an opera composed by Michael Jarrell, with a libretto by the composer after Jean Racine's tragedy.

© C. Daguet / Editions Henry Lemoine

It is the composer's second opera after Galilei (Geneva, 2006).

Titus, passionately in love with Berenice, sends her away from Rome 'in spite of himself and in spite of her', recounts Suetonius. Titus and Berenice love each other; under the watchful eye of Antiochus, the hopeless lover, they try yet refuse to understand each other. (reproduced from the Opéra national de Paris website)

The cast includes baritone Bo Skovhus (Titus), soprano Barbara Hannigan (Bérénice), baritone Ivan Ludlow (Antiochus) and bass Alastair Miles (Paulin). Philippe Jordan conducts the Orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris. Claus Guth directs.

The score is published by Editions Henry Lemoine. According to their website, the required orchestra is the following :

- 3 flutes (doubling alto flute and piccolo), 2 oboes (doubling English horn), 2 clarinets (doubling bass clarinet), 2 bassoons (doubling contrabassoon) ;
- 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba ;
- 3 percussionists ;
- harp, MIDI keyboard ;
- strings.

The venue is the Palais Garnier. The performance should last about 90 minutes (no interval).

Today : world première of 'Sanatorio Express' by Iiro Rantala in Helsinki

Today, the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki presents the world première of Sanatorio Express, an opera composed by Iiro Rantala with a libretto by Minna Lindgren.

It is the composer's first opera.

A Soprano, on the very verge of divorce, arrives at the much-lauded sanatorium, hoping to shed her excess kilos over a weekend. Once at the clinic of the shameless Healer, Soprano finds herself falling in love with a Tenor who’s looking for peace of mind. The relationship rollercoaster truly gets going when Soprano’s husband turns up. Only the mouthy Receptionist can stop the ride by revealing a bundle of embarrassing secrets. In the end, every customer at the sanatorium discovers something new about themselves. (reproduced from the Finnish National Opera website)

The cast includes soprano Johanna Rusanen (Soprano), singer Waltteri Torikka (A Husband, Soprano's partner), baritone Hannu Niemelä (Healer), tenor Markus Nykänen (A Tenor) and soprano Päivi Nisula (Receptionist). Kalle Kuusava conducts the orchestra. Maria Sid directs.

The venus is the Almi Hall. The performance should last about 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 25 minutes intermission.

In the following month, the opera will also be performed in Turku, Oulu and Kuopio.

Today : world première of 'Sky on Swings' by Lembit Beecher in Philadelphia

Today, the Opera Philadelphia presents the world première of Sky on Swings, a chamber opera by Lembit Beecher with a libretto by Hannah Moscovitch.

© Jamie Jung

It is the composer's fourth opera, after the 'micro opera' In This World, George Is Heartbroken (Toronto, 2012), the chamber operas I Have No Stories To Tell You (New York, 2014) and Sophia's Forest (Philadelphia, September 2017).

Is there any grace in forgetting ? This new chamber opera finds fleeting beauty in memory loss through an unflinching yet uplifting exploration of living with Alzheimer’s disease. (reproduced from the Opera Philadelphia website)

The cast includes mezzo Frederica von Stade (Danny), mezzo Marietta Simpson (Martha), countertenor Daniel Taylor (Ira) and soprano sharleen Joynt (Winnie). Geoffrey MacDonald conducts the Orchestra of Opera Philadelphia. Joanna Settle directs.

The required orchestra is the following (according to the composer's website) :

- 1 clarinet (doubling bass clarinet) ;
- 1 trumpet, 1 trombone ;
- percussion, piano, harp ;
- string quintet.

The performance should last about 80 minutes. The venue is the Perelman Theater.

Today : world première performance of 'The Wall' by Christian Diendorfer in Linz

Today, the Landestheater Linz presents the world première performance of the chamber opera in two acts Die Wand (The Wall), composed by Christian Diendorfer, with a libretto by Hermann Schneider based on Marlen Haushofer's novel.

It is the composer's first opera.

The main character is a 40-something woman whose name the audience never learns. She tries to survive a cataclysmic event: while vacationing in a hunting lodge in the Austrian mountains, a transparent wall has been placed that closes her off from the outside world ; all life outside the wall appears to have died, possibly in a nuclear event. With a dog, a cow, and a cat as her sole companions, she struggles to survive and to come to terms with the situation. Facing fear and loneliness, she writes an account of her isolation without knowing whether or not anyone will ever read it. (reproduced from wikipedia)

The cast includes mezzo soprano Jessica Eccleston (Die Frau), the actress Verena Koch, the dancer Anna Sterbova and baritone Timothy Connor (Der Mann). Jinie Ka conducts the Bruckner Orchester Linz and the chorus of the Landestheater. Eva-Maria Melbye directs.

The venue is the BlackBox Musiktheater. The performance should last about 2 hours.

Today : world première of 'The Hunting Gun' by Thomas Larcher in Bregenz

Today, the Bregenz Festival presents the world première of Das Jagdgewehr (The Hunting Gun), an opera in three acts by Thomas Larcher, with a libretto in German by Friederike Gösweiner, based on Yasushi Inoue's novel translated by Oscar Benl.

© Richard Haughton

It is the composer's first opera.

“Let’s be criminals !”, says the hunter Josuke to his lover Saiko on the beach. His wife Midori watches them and realises her husband is having an affair with her best friend. For more than ten years Midori will not reveal to them that she knows of their relationship. Saiko keeps the secret in her diary, which her daughter Shoko saves from the flames, thus discovering the story. Shoko can’t speak about it with her mother any more, and Saiko has taken the secret to her grave. A poet has been sent this story in the form of three letters, one from each of the women. The author previously wrote a poem about a hunter he had seen only from behind while out hiking; the hunter Josuke recognised himself in the poem. (reproduced from the Bregenz Festival website)

The cast includes tenor Robin Tritschler (Poet), baritone Andrè Schuen (Josuke Misugi), soprano Sarah Aristidou (Shoko), soprano Sophia Burgos (Midori) and mezzo Olivia Vermeulen (Saiko). Michael Boder conducts the Schola Heidelberg and the Ensemble Modern. Karl Markovics directs.

It is the second opera composed after Inoue's novel. The first was composed by French composer Michèle Reverdy and first performed in Reims in 2000.

The venue is the Werkstattbühne of the Festspielhaus.