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.

Today : world première of 'Die Vorübergehenden' by Nikolaus Brass in Munich

Today, the Bavarian State Opera in Munich presents the world première of Die Vorübergehenden (The Passers-By), a music theater in two parts and an epilogue, composed by Nikolaus Brass, with a libretto by the composer, using texts by Tomas Tranströmer, Rose Ausländer and Mahmout Darwish.

 (c) Astrid Ackermann

Since 2012, Nikolaus Brass has composed three musical works for the stage : memory (Munich, 2012), sommertag (Munich, 2014) and earth diver (Ruhrtriennale, 2016).

On the journey called life, The Lover is reminded of various experiences and long-suppressed events. The way we deal with the past and our relentless self-questioning lies at the centre of the opera – here, life is seen as a mesh of fleeting encounters and fragmented relationships. (reproduced from the Bavarian State Opera website)

The cast includes baritone Nikolay Borchev (Der Liebende), soprano Sarah Maria Sun (Die Liebende), countertenor Vasily Khoroshev (Der Schatten), bass baritone Wolfgang Newerla (Vater), mezzo Ulrike Helzel (Mutter) and tenor Ilker Arcayürek (Der Flüchtling / Der Reisende). Marie Jacquot conducts a chamber orchestra. Ludger Engels directs.

The required orchestra is the following :

- 2 flutes (also piccolo), 2 oboes (also English horn),  2 clarinets (doubling bass clarinet), 2 saxophones (1. soprano and 2. tenor and baritone) ;
- 1 trumpet, 1 horn, 1 trombone ;
- 2 percussionists, accordion ;
- string quintett.

The score is published by Ricordi.

The performance should last about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The venue is the Reithalle.