Today : world première of 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Stefan Wirth in Zürich

Today, the Opernhaus Zürich presents the world première of Girl with a Pearl Earring, an opera composed by Stefan Wirth with a libretto in English by Philip Littell based on Tracy Chevalier's novel.

It is the composer's first opera.

Griet, daughter of an impoverished family in Delft, is employed in Jan Vermeer’s household as a servant girl. Forced to work hard and bullied by the Vermeer children, when cleaning the artist’s studio she is the only one who gains an insight into the mystery of the artist’s colours, light and perspectives. When Vermeer’s patron, the lecher Pieter van Ruijven, orders a painting of the maid as a portrait study, Griet starts spending more and more time alone with the artist in his studio. Until Vermeer’s wife notices the servant girl wearing her pearl earring… (reproduced from the Zurich Opera House website)

The cast includes soprano Lauren Snouffer (Griet), baritone Thomas Hampson (Jan Vermeer), soprano Laura Aikin (Catharina Vermeer), soprano Liliana Nikiteanu (Maria Thins), baritone Yannick Debus (Pieter) and alto Irène Friedli (Tanneke). Peter Rundel conducts the Philharmonia Zürich. Ted Huffman directs.

Today : world première of 'Dschungel' by Manuel Renggli in Luzern

Today, the Luzerner Theater presents the world première of Dschungel (Jungle), a brass-opera composed by Manuel Renggli with a libretto by Michael Fehr based on Rudyard Kipling's book.

It is the composer's first opera.

Brahma, a young girl escaping her weak mother, flees in the jungle. There, she discovers an world inhabited by animals who might help or hinder her : Atlanta the yellow snake, which might not be as wise as it would like to be, the wild gray monkeys and the dazzling birds. At the end of her adventurous trip between reality, fantasy and hallucination, Brahma has learned that of she can't choose her own life, she can take it with her own hands. (freely adapted from the Luzerner Theater website)

The cast includes soprano Nina Schnürpel (Atlanta), soprano Rebecca Krynski Cox (Raja), mezzo Sarah Alexandra Hudarew (Samreh), baritone Jason Cox (Red Baron's Son), bass Vuyani Mlinde (Red Baron) and actress Nina Langensand (Brahma). Michael Bach or William Kelley conducts the Brassband Bürgermusik Luzern and the Chorus of the Luzerner Theater. Tom Ryser directs.

Today : world première of 'Schellen-Ursli' by Marius Felix Lange in Basel

Today, the Theater Basel presents the world première of Schellen-Ursli (A Bell for Ursli), a children opera composed by Marius Felix Lange with a libretto by the composed based on the Engadine Trilogy by Selina Chönz and Alois Carigiet.

It is the composer's sixth opera for children after, among others, Das Opernschiff oder am Südpol, denkt man, ist es heiss (Köln, April 26, 2005), Schneewittchen (Köln, April 21, 2011) and Die Schneekönigin (Duisburg, April 23, 2016).

A little village lies peacefully covered in snow high up in the Swiss mountains. But not for long! Because Chalandamarz will soon be here and the children are waiting impatiently to drive winter away with the sound of loud bells. However, Ursli’s feverish excitement turns into deep despondency when everyone laughs at him being given the smallest of all the goat bells. He determinedly makes his way to the lonely Maiensässhütte to fetch the largest of the cow bells. However, the steep path that leads there is a dangerous one and when Flurina also sets off into the snow and ice to look for her brother, the adventure takes a more serious turn. (reproduced from the Theater Basel website)

The cast includes Michael Bauer or Aaron Christ (Schellen-Ursli), Alma Bleich or Mira Feigel (Flurina), soprano Kali Hardwick or mezzo Ena Pongrac (Mutter), baritone Dmytro Kalmuchyn or Anelio Rodriguez (Vater) and bass baritone Raphael Sigling (Gian / Der Winter). Stephen Delaney conducts a Chalanda-Banda. Tim Jentzen directs.

Received today : programm book for 'Andersens Erzählungen' by Jherek Bischoff in Basel

Today, I have received in the mail the programm book published by Theater Basel for the world première of Andersens Erzählungen, an opera composed by Jherek Bischoff, first performed on September 27, 2019.

It is a 44 pages book. It contains :

- complete cast and crew ;
- plot summary ;
- Jan Dvorak (librettist) : Das unsagbare Sagen ;
- Jens Andersen : Der Fehler wr allein die Liebe ;
- Niklas Luhmann : Vernunftehe, Liebesehe und eheliche Liebe ;
- Discussion with conductor Thomas Wise, director Philipp Stölzl, set designer Heike Vollmer and costume designer Kathi Maurer : Man kann diesem Märchen wie einer Melodie folgen ;
- Johanna Mangold (dramaturge) : Jherek Bischoff : ein Kurzporträt ;
- Andreas Krass : Verderberin, Gebärerin, Verführerin - Meerjungfrauen als Sinnbild einer unmöglichen Liebe ;
- Dag Heede : Busenfreund und Frauenleichen - oder Der dänische Krieg um Hans Christian Andersens Sexualität ;
- biographies of the artists ;
- four colour postcards of the production (photos by Sandra Then).

I now have 683 programm books for contemporary operas in my collection. I have scanned the covers and uploaded the images to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Andersens Erzählungen' by Jherek Bischoff in Basel

Today, the Theater Basel presents the world première of Andersens Erzählungen (Andersen's Tales), an opera drama composed by Jherek Bischoff with a libretto by Jan Dvorak.

(c) Allan Amato

It is the composer's first opera.

Hans Christian Andersen is just starting to write the fairy tale «The Little Mermaid» when he turns up at his friend Edvard Collin’s house the night before his wedding in order to confess his love for him. However, he is rejected once again. Upset by this, Andersen continues spinning his yarn and allows it to take a tragic turn : for love of a prince, the Little Mermaid wants to be human, at any price. To achieve this she enters a fatal bargain with the Sea Witch. The Little Mermaid then becomes a human being – but she is still unable to gain the prince’s love.

Andersen discharges his unfulfilled longings in a fictional story and in turn that story then influences his personal life. Side by side with the Danish writer who escapes into an imaginary world in order to be able to gain greater control over his own life, we dive deep into the world of the Little Mermaid. (reproduced from the Theater Basel website)

The cast includes actor Moritz von Treuenfels (Hans Christian Andersen), actor Mario Fuchs (Edvard Collin), counter tenor Bruno de Sa (Der kleine Meerjungfrau), mezzo Ena Pongrac and soprano Stefanie Knorr (Die zwei Meerschwestern), soprano Jasmin Etezadzadeh (Grossmutter) and tenor Rolf Romei (Meerhexe). Thomas Wise conducts the Basel Sinfonietta. Philipp Stölzl directs.

Today : world première of 'Last Call to Elpisonia' by Michael Pelzel in Zürich

Today, the Opernhaus Zürich presents the world première of Last Call to Elpisonia, a chamber opera composed by Michael Pelzel, with a libretto by Dominik Riedo.

 (c) Vinzenz Niedermann

It is the composer's first opera.

It is the year 2118: the communication media are out of control. They have gone off on a massive tangent, threatening to become a risk to human survival. The earth is so polluted by communication that a (pathetic caricature) of a world government decides to evacuate the planet. The exodus is destined for the planet of Elpisonia leaving the earth to its own devices until it has regenerated itself. The spaceship takes off. Everyone leaves the earth. One man and one woman are accidentally left behind. They are the last people on earth. Realizing their situation, they react in panic and almost automatically spin into overdrive but then do become closer. A new (old, lost) ability to speak has to be relearnt: non-verbal communication, touching and silence. Conversations. Really getting to know one another. (reproduced from the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation website)

The cast includes mezzo Christina Daletska (Johnny / Tarantino Muff), bass baritone Ruben Drole (Urguru), mezzo Annette Schönmüller (Sulamit), tenor Thomas Erlank (Harald Gottwitz) and baritone Jungrae Noah Kim (Dr. Karitzoklex). Jonathan Stockhammer conducts the Ensemble Opera Nova (11 instruments). Chris Kondek directs.

The venue is the Studiobühne.

Toady : world première of 'humanoid' by Leonard Evers in Winterthur

Today, the Theater Winterthur presents the world première of humanoid, a science-fiction opera composed by Leonard Evers, with a libretto by Pamela Dürr.

(c) Sarah Wijzenbeek

Leonard Evers has already composed several works for the stage, mostly for children, including the highly successful Gold ! (2012).

In a futuristic world in the 3rd millennium, Jonah experiments with androids and creates his ideal partner, Alma. What feelings and memories are real when the boundaries between man and machine almost completely blur ?
Every night before going to sleep Jonah deletes Alma's memory for safety. As a child intervenes and saves Alma's data to another robot, Jonah loses control. The situation escalates and becomes a game about life and death between humans and androids. (freely adapted from the Theater Winterthur website)

The cast includes soprano Orsolya Nyakas (Alma), countertenor Oscar Verhaar (Child), mezzo Larissa Angelini (Vivienne), tenor Per Lindström (Jonah) and bass Michal Marhold (Juri). Sebastian Schwab conducts the Orchestra of the Musikkollegium Winterthur. Cordula Däuper directs.

The score is published by Boosey & Hawkes. According to the publisher's website, the required orchestra is the following :

- 1 flute (doubling piccolo), 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 bassoon ;
- 1 horn, 1 trumpet ;
- percussion (2 players) ;
- piano
- strings (1.1.1.1.1).

The performance should last about 70 minutes. After 5 performances in Winterthur, the opera will also be performed in Bern.

Today : world première of 'Diodati. Unendlich' by Michael Wertmüller in Basel

Today, the Theater Basel presents the world première of Diodati. Unendlich (Diodati. Neverending), an opera composed by Michael Wertmüller, with a libretto by Dea Loher.

(c) Kim Culetto

It is Wertmüller's third opera after Anschlag (Lucerne Festival, August 2013) and Weine nicht, singe (Hamburg, September 2015).

A group of Britons with literary ambitions involved in a ménage à six travel to Switzerland in 1816 in search of « sublime » nature – they include Percy Shelley and his later wife Mary, Lord Byron and his personal physician John Polidori. However, the catastrophic weather of this legendary « year without a summer », the result of a volcanic eruption in Indonesia, forces the friends to wait for eight days in a villa on Lake Geneva. Here these cosmopolitan libertines – in no small measure under the influence of hallucinogens – tell each other made up stories about creatures controlled by others that reflect the depths of their own personalities – as well as their longing to actively shape their lives and to tackle social problems. (reproduced from the Theater Basel website)

The cast includes mezzo Kristina Stanek (Mary Godwin), tenor Rolf Romei (Percy Bysshe Shelley), soprano Sara Hershkowitz (Claire Clairmont), baritone Holger Falk (Lord Byron), bass baritone Seth Carico (Dr. John Polidori) and soprano Samantha Gaul (Augusta Leigh). Titus Engel conducts the Sinfonieorchester Basel. Lydia Steier directs.

New programme books in my collection

I have recently acquired several programme books for contemporary operas :

 - John Adams, The Death of Klinghoffer, London (ENO), February 25, 2012.
It is a 98 pages book, with only 48 pages related to the opera. The opera was first performed in Brussels in 1991. I already have programme books from Lyon (1991) and Long Beach (2014).
- John Adams, Doctor Atomic, London (ENO), February 25, 2009.
It is a 78 pages book, with 36 pages related to the opera. The opera was first performed in San Francisco in 2005. I already have programme books from Amsterdam (2007) and Strasbourg (2014).
- Gavin Bryars, Doctor Ox's Experiment, London (ENO), June 15, 1998.
It is a 42 pages brochure. This is the programme for the world première performance.

 
- John Cage, Europeras 1 & 2, Braunschweig, November 25, 2017.
It is a 32 pages brochure. The operas were first performed in Frankfurt in 1987.
- Elliott Carter, What Next ?, München, November 20, 2011.
It is a 40 pages brochure. It also includes a separate 12 pages leaflet with biographies of the artists. The opera was first performed in Berlin in 1999. Puccini's Gianni Schicchi was performed as the first part of a double bill evening. I have another programme for a concert version in Paris in 2000.
- Peter Eötvös, Tri Sestri, München, February 8, 2010.
It is a 44 pages brochure. It also includes a separate 12 pages leaflet with biographies of the artists. The opera was first performed in Lyon in 1998. I have the programme book the the world première and another one for performances at the Wiener Staatsoper in March 2016.

 
- Philip Glass, The Making of the Representative for Planet 8, London (ENO), November 17, 1988.
It is a 48 pages brochure. The opera was first performed in Houston in July 1988. The performances in London were the first in Europe.
- Philip Glass, The Perfect American, London (ENO), June 1, 2013.
It is a 76 pages book, with only 38 pages related to the opera. The opera was first performed in Madrid in January 2013. I have the programme book for the world première.
- Iain Hamilton, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, London (ENO), February 2, 1977.
It is a 44 pages brochure. This is the programme for the world première.

- Hans Werner Henze, Die Bassariden, München, May, 19, 2008.
It is a 140 pages book. It also includes a separate 6 pages leaflet with biographies of the artists. The opera was first performed in Salzburg in 1966. I have another programme book for performances in Paris in 2005.
- Helmut Lachenmann, Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern, Hamburg, January 26, 1997.
It is a 48 pages book. This is the programme book for the world première. I already have two other programme books for this opera : Paris in September 2001 and Stuttgart in October 2001.
- Jost Meier, Dreyfus - Die Affäre, Basel, October 16, 1994.
It is a 112 pages book. The opera was first performed in Berlin in May 1994. I have another programme brochure for performances at New York City Opera in April 1996.

- Lucia Ronchetti, Rivale, Braunschweig, October 29, 2017.
It is a 16 pages leaflet. The opera was first performed in Berlin on October 8, 2017. I have the programme book for the world première.
- Poul Ruders, The Handmaid's Tale, London (ENO), April 3, 2003.
It is a 96 pages brochure, with only 40 pages dedicated to the opera. The opera was first performed in Copenhagen in 2000.
- Aulis Sallinen, The King Goes Forth to France, London (Royal Opera House), April 1, 1987.
It is a 72 pages brochures, with only 32 pages dedicated to the opera. The opera was first performed in Savonlinna in 1984.

- Mark Anthony Turnage, Greek, London (ENO), September 27, 1990.
It is a 64 pages brochure. The opera was first performed in München in June 1988. I have two other programme books for this opera : Wuppertal in 1992 and Paris in 2000.
- Mark Anthony Turnage, The Silver Tassie, London (ENO), February 16, 2000.
It is a 96 pages brochure. This is the programme for the world première.
- Rufus Wainwright, Prima Donna, Augsburg, February 3, 2018.
It is a 24 pages brochure. The opera was first performed in Manchester in 2009.

I now have 586 programme books for contemporary operas. I have scanned and uploaded all the covers to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Der Goldkäfer' by Dai Fujikura in Basel

Today, the Theater Basel presents the world première of Dai Fujikura's new opera, Der Goldkäfer (The Gold-Bug), with a libretto by Hannah Dübgen based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story.

 

(c) Milena Mihaylova

It is the composer's second opera after Solaris (Paris, 2015).

A powerful storm is raging over the island when Albert and his daughter Lilith knock at Sam and his grandfather William’s door. William opens up and tells them excitedly of his latest discovery, a beautiful, precious glittering golden bug. He is convinced that the insect has magic powers and tries everything he can think of to unlock them. In the process the boundaries between fantasy and reality become increasingly blurred and soon the four characters find themselves caught up in a thrilling adventure with secret messages, pirate escapades and a legendary treasure trove. (reproduced from the Theater Basel website)

The cast includes soprano Sarah Brady (Lilith), baritone Domen Krizaj (Albert), tenor Matthew Swensen (Sam), bass José Coca Loza (Wilhelm Legrand) and mezzo Anastasia Bickel (Anneli). Stephen Delaney conducts the orchestra. Julia Hölscher directs.

The performance should last about 70 minutes.

Receivd this morning : program book for 'Lunea' by Heinz Holliger in Zurich

This Thursday morning, I have received in the mail the program book published by Opernhaus Zürich for the world première performance of Lunea, composed by Heinz Holliger. It took place on March 4.

It is a 96 pages book. It contains :

- color photos of rehearsals ;
- detailed synopsis, scene by scene ;
- Fantasie, die keine Grenzen kennt, interview with composer Heinz Holliger, by Claus Spahn ;
- Der Künstler als Getriebener - Über das Leben des Dichters Nikolaus Lenau, by Michael Ritter ;
- Lunea - Eine Mondoper - Zur Musik von Heinz Holligers neuem Werk für Musiktheater, by Roman Brotbeck ;
- Kammerspielartige Verdichtung, interview with director Andreas Homoki, by Claus Spahn ;
- Asche, im Mörser zerrieben, by librettist Händl Klaus ;
- Höchste Freude unf tiefste Düsterkeit, excerpts from letters by Nikolaus Lenau to Sophie von Löwenthal ;
- complete libretto.

The book is entirely in German. There is also a 16 pages booklet with the complete cast and biographies of the artists, with black and white headshots.

I now have 519 progrm books for contemporary operas. I have scanned all covers and uploaded them to this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Lunea' by Heinz Holliger in Zürich

Today, the Opernhaus Zürich presents the world première of Heinz Holliger's new opera, Lunea, with a libretto by Händl Klaus inspired by poet Nikolaus Lenau's life. The opera is subtitled '23 pages from a life'.

It is the composer's sixth opera, almost 20 years after Schneewittchen (Zürich, October 1998).

A dramatist, political intellectual, guitarist and violinist, as well as the most successful lyricist of the Biedermeier period, Lenau was a highly talented polymath. He led a restless, intense life informed by his love for a succession of women before becoming mentally deranged in 1844, remaining in psychiatric care until his death in 1850. His most passionate and almost lifelong love affair was with Sophie von Löwenthal, the wife of his friend Max. With Sophie, Lenau maintained a dual correspondence that was split between “official” letters and unrestrainedly intimate messages. (reproduced from the Zurich Opera House website)

The cast includes baritone Christian Gerhaher (Lenau), soprano Juliane Banse (Sophie von Löwenthal), baritone Ivan Ludlow (Anton Schurz), soprano Sarah Maria Sun (Marie Behrends / Karoline Unger) and mezzo Annette Schönmüller (Therese Schurz). Heinz Holliger himself conducts the Philharmonia Zürich and the Basler Madrigalisten. Andreas Homoki directs.

According to the full score available for perusal on the Schott Music website, the required orchestra is the following :

- 2 flutes (also 2 piccolo, 1 alto flute and 1 bass flute), 2 oboes (also 1 English horn), 2 clarinets in B (also 1 clarinet in A and 2 bass clarinets in B), 1 contrabass clarinet in B (also bass clarinet in B), 2 bassoons (also 1 contrabassoon) ;
- 2 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 2 trombones ;
- timpani, percussion (4 players), cymbal, harp, celesta, piano ;
- strings (4.2.2.2.2).

The performance should last 1 hour and 45 minutes and there is no interval.

Today : world première of Xavier Dayer's 'Alzheim' in Bern

Today, the Konzert Theater Bern presents the world première of Xavier Dayer's Alzheim, a musical theatre piece in 50 scenes, with a libretto by Jürgen Berger based on interviews with patients of Baan Kamlangchay, a home for demented patients from German-speaking countries in Faham, near Chiang Mai, Thailand.

It is Dayer's 6th opera, after Le Marin (Geneva, 1999), Les Aveugles (Saint-Denis, 2006) and Contes de la lune vague après la pluie (Rouen, 2015).

The work gives an insight into the world of patients and guests, telling stories about destinies of relatives. Here, authenticity becomes fiction. (freely adapted from the Theater Bern website).

The cast includes soprano Marielle Murphy (Pflegerin), soprano Evgenia Grekova (Margret), mezzo soprano Claude Eichenberg (Magda) and baritone Robin Adams (Buddha). Jochem Hochstenbach conducts the Berner Symphonieorchester. Ludger Engels directs.

The required orchestra is the following :

- 1 flute (doubling piccolo and bass flute), 1 oboe (doubling English horn), 1 clarinet (doubling bass clarinet) ;
- 1 horn, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone ;
- 1 percussionist, 1 piano ;
- String quintet.

The performance takes place at Vidmar 1 and should last about 85 minutes.

Today : World première of 'Les Zoocrates' by Thierry Besançon in Lausanne

Today, the Opéra de Lausanne presents the world première of Les zoocrates, an 'animal and operatic silliness' by Thierry Besançon, with a libretto in French by Örs Kisfaludy.

It is the composer's first opera.

But...what on earth is a zoocrate? Is it some kind of learned animal, a zoological Socrates of sorts whose name is spoken with a lisp or even a stutter? A...Socratic animal? Why not! Doesn't the writer Eugène Ionesco declare so in his play Rhinoceros? : « All cats are mortal. Socrates is mortal. Therefore Socrates is a cat. » This is pure logic, isn't it? Indeed, but it would be even more (zoo) logical to think that a zoocrate is but the animal equivalent of a democrat. And zoocracy, the equivalent of democracy. (reproduced from the Opéra de Lausanne website)

the cast includes actor Thierry Takahahshi-Jorand (Le chasseur), bass Daniel Golossov (Le Lion), counter-tenor Jérôme Vavasseur (La Hyène), bass Alexandre Diakoff (L'homme-singe / Le marabout), soprano Yuki Tsurusaki (La gazelle) and tenor Fernando Cuellar Leon (Le zèbre). Andrei Feher conducts the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. Pierre Lepori and François Renou direct.

The performance should last about 70 minutes, with no intermission.

Today : world première of Pierangelo Valtinoni's 'The Wizard of Oz' in Zurich

Today, the Opernhaus Zürich presents the world première of Pierangelo Valtinoni's Der Zauberer von Oz (The Wizard of Oz) with a libretto by Paolo Madron based on Lyman Frank Baum's fairy tale, in a German version by Hanna Francesconi.

It is Valtinoni's fourth opera after Il ragazzo col violino (1996), Pinocchio (2001, rev. 2006) and The Snow Queen (2010).

Every year in the run-up to Christmas, they glitter on various television channels – and reawaken the child in every adult: Dorothy’s fantastic, magical shoes. The famous screen adaptation of the fairy tale, The Wizard of Oz, with Judy Garland as the plucky Dorothy and her lively little dog Toto, has made the hearts of generations of children beat faster. The adventures of the farm girl from Kansas who grows up with her uncle and aunt begin the moment a dangerous tornado sweeps over the farm and carries off the house, together with Dorothy and her dog, to the far-off land of the Munchkins. The house falls onto the Wicked Witch of the West, of all people, thus triggering a series of fantastical events. Admittedly, the Wicked Witch of the East’s red shoes lend Dorothy magical powers, but she also has to pass the most gruelling of tests. But Dorothy is not alone: on her journey, she encounters a scarecrow whose dearest wish is to be given a real brain rather than merely having a head full of straw. The pair also encounters a rusty tin man who would like to have a heart. Another travelling companion is a lion, who has a powerful roar, but otherwise believes he is very cowardly. Together, they set off to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City, who is supposed to help Dorothy find her way home. They are repeatedly threatened by the Wicked Witch of the West, and even the powerful Wizard of Oz ultimately turns out to be a fraud: his spells have no effect. But time and again, the travelling quartet, including the little dog, prove that they have kind hearts, intelligence and courage, and ultimately survive all their adventures with bravura. (reproduced from the Zurich Opera House website)

The cast includes soprano Deanna Breiwick (Dorothy), tenor Iain Milne (Die Vogelscheuche), baritone Cheyne Davidson (Der Blechmann), bass Reinhard Mayr (Der feige Löwe), soprano Hamide Kristoffersen (Die gute Hexe des Nordens / Die gute Hexe des Südens) and actor Daniel Hajdu (Der Zauberer von Oz). Kristiina Poska conducts the Children Chorus of the Zurich Opera and the Philharmonia Zürich. Floris Visser directs.

The performance should last 2 hours and 10 minutes, with one interval.

Today : world première of 'Reise nach Tripiti' by Fabian Künzli in Winterthur

Today, Fabian Künzli's new children opera will be performed at the Theater Winterthur. The libretto by Pamela Dürr is based on the book originaly written by Hans Ulrich Steger.

It is the composer's second piece for the musical theatre after Die Orchestermäuse (2014).

The battered teddy Theo ends up on a garbage dump. To get courage in his predicament, he hums the song with which his little owner has previuosly lulled him to sleep : 'trip to Tripiti'.  The broken wooden horse Kaspar wants to accompany him to the beautiful Tripiti.  During their journey, other discarded toys they meet will join the convoy. (freely translated from the Theater Winterthur website).

The cast includes soprano Andrea Suter (Puppe Resi), mezzo Michaela Polkehn (Babuschka), tenor Michael Feyfar (Kaspar Steckenpferd) and bass baritone Martin Weidmann (Bär Theodor). Marc Kissóczy conducts and Nina Russi directs.

The opera should last about 90 minutes.

Two new program books in my collection !

This Thursday morning, I have received in the mail two program books :

- Johanna Doderer, Fatima, oder von den mutigen Kindern, Wien, December 23rd, 2015 ;
- Dominique Gesseney-Rappo, Carlotta ou la Vaticane, Fribourg, December 31st, 2015.

The first one is a 16 pages brochure. It is entirely in German. It contains :

- synopsis ;
- dates and facts (duration, characters, introduction by the composer) ;
- short biography of the composer ;
- 3 questions to the composer ;
- 3 questions to the stage director ;
- a glossary of the main opera terms explained to children ;
- colour photos of the production.

The second one is a 44 pages book. It is mainly in French. It contains :

- calendar of performances in Fribourg and Bulle ;
- complete cast and crew ;
- preface by the stage director (in French and German) ;
- detailed synopsis (in French and German) ;
- preface by the librettist ( in French and German) ;
- biographies of the artists (with black and white headshots), only in French ;
- several colour pictures from the Vatican City.

The covers of the 384 program books for contemporary operas I have in my collection are available in this flickr folder.

Today : world première of 'Carlotta ou la Vaticane' by Dominique Gesseney in Fribourg

Today, the new opera composed by Swiss composer Dominique Gesseney Rappo, Carlotta ou la Vaticane, will be performed for the first time in Fribourg.

The libretto by the Christophe Passer is based on real facts that happened in the Vatican City in 1998. It describes the passion, ambition and betrayal between a Swiss Guard, his wife, a beautiful young girl, her lover and a traitorous priest (see detailed synopsis in French on the Opéra de Fribourg website)

The cast includes soprano Claudia Moulin (Carlotta), tenor Julien Dran (Tibère), bass Sébastien Lemoine (Konrad von Kurstein), soprano Delphine Gillot (Gloria von Kurstein) and tenor Christophe Crapez (Don Eliseo). Laurent Gendre conducts the Orchestre de Chambre Fribourgeois and the Opéra de Fribourg Chorus. Denis Maillefer directs.

Received in the mail this morning : program book for Jost's 'Rote Laterne' in Zurich

This Wednesday morning, I have received in the mail the program book published by Opernhaus Zurich for the world premiere performance of Christian Jost's last opera, Rote Laterne.

The 76 pages book contains :

- color photos of the production ;
- synopsis ;
- dialogue with the composer ;
- several quotes from Jean-Paul Sartre, Paul Celan, Georg Büchner, Su Tong
- dialogue with director and designer ;
- an article on Su Tong, the author of the original novel ;
- the composer's biography ;
- the complete libretto ;
- a separate 16 pages brochure with complete cast and biographies of performers.

It is entirely in German.

Today : world première of 'Rote Laterne' by Christian Jost in Zurich

Today, the new opera composed by Christian Jost, Rote Laterne (Red Lantern), with a libretto by the composer after Su Tong's Wives and Cocubines, will be performed in Zurich.

 

It is the composers's eighth opera, since Death Knocks in 2001. His operas include Hamlet (2008), Mikropolis (2010), Rumor (2011) and Heart Sutra (2012, video available on YouTube).

the story of a young woman who is married off into a traditional Chinese family as the fourth and youngest wife and perishes as the result of their backward attitudes. Four wives of different generations live under one roof with their husband, Master Chen, and form a hopelessly catastrophic ménage à cinq. The piece is about female desire and social constraints, dreams, emotional self-determination, domination, envy, jealousy and death. (reproduced from the Zurich Opera house website)

The cast includes Shelley Jackson (soprano, Song-Lian), Claudia Boyle (soprano, May-Shan), Nora Gubisch (mezzo, Zhuo-Yun), Liliana Nikiteanu (alto, Yu-Ru), Rod Gilfry (baritone, Master Chen) and Anna Goryachova (mezzo, Yen-Er). Alain Altinoglu conducts and Nadja Loschky directs.

The orchestra is the following :

- 2 flutes (II. also alt flute), 1 oboe, 1 English horn, 1 clarinet, 1 bass clarinet, 1 bassoon, 1 contrabassoon ;
- 4 horns, 1 tuba ;
- 6 percussionists : vibraphone, marimba, chimes, 3 cymbals, Chinese cymbal, 6 tomtoms, 2 timpani, bass drum, 2 woodblocks ;
- harp, solo violin, strings

The opera should last about 1 hour and 45 minutes.