Today : world première of 'The Skating Rink' by David Sawer in Garsington

Today, the Garsington Opera presents the world première of The Skating Rink, an opera composed by David Sawer, with a libretto by Rory Mullarkey based on the novel by Roberto Bolano.

It is the composer's fourth opera after The Panic (London, May 31, 1991), From Morning to Midnight (London, ENO, April 27, 2001) and Skin Deep (Leeds, Opera North, January 16, 2009).

Nuria, a beautiful young skating champion, has a powerful admirer, Enric, whose obsession drives him to pilfer funds to build her an ice rink in a deserted Spanish mansion. Discovered by an unlikely group of characters, a murder on the ice becomes the centre of this thrilling tale of jealousy, political corruption and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. (reproduced from the Garsington Opera website)

The cast includes bass baritone Grant Doyle (Enric), tenor Sam Furness (Gaspar), baritone Ben Edquist (Remo), mezzo Susan Bickley (Carmen) and soprano Claire Wild (Caridad). Garry Walker conducts the Garsington Opera Orchestra. Stewart Laing directs.

Today : world première of 'Coraline' by Mark-Anthony Turnage in London

Today, the Royal Opera House presents the world première performance of Mark-Anthony Turnage's Coraline, an opera for family audience, with a libretto by Rory Mullarkey based on the novel by Neil Gaiman.

(c) Philip Gatward

It is the composer's fifth opera. His previous works for the stage include Greek (1988), The Silver Tassie (2000) and Anna Nicole (2011).

Coraline opens a mysterious door in her parents’ home to discover an Other World. It is inhabited by her Other Mother and Other Father, who have buttons instead of eyes. Everything seems better in the Other World – to start with, at least…
Coraline discovers that the Other Mother wants to trap her in the Other World forever, and has kidnapped Coraline’s real parents to try to force her hand. But Coraline tricks her and she and her parents finally escape safely back home. (reproduced from the Royal Opera House website)

The cast includes soprano Mary Bevan (Coraline), mezzo Kitty Whately (Moter / Other Mother), baritone Alexander Robin Baker (Father / Other Father), soprano Gillian Keith (Miss Spink), mezzo Frances McCafferty (Miss Forcible) and tenor Harry Nicoll (Mr Bobo). Sian Edwards conducts the Britten Sinfonia. Aletta Collins conducts. The opera is performed at the Barbican Theatre.

The full score is published by Boosey & Hawkes. It is available for online perusal. According to the score, the requested orchestra is the following :

- flute (doubling piccolo), oboe (doubling Cor anglais), clarinet in Bb, bass clarinet, basson, horn in F ;
- trumpet in C, trombone ;
- harp, piano (doubling celesta), percussion (1) ;
- 1 violin, 1 viola, 2 cellos, 1 double bass.

The performance should last about 90 minutes.