Leporello Contemporary
Opera
Nr. 21
Newsletter June 2013
World Première Performances In June 2013, 8 new operas will be performed, in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the USA, including two boxing operas based on the lives of Muhammad Ali and Emile Griffith. Other sources for libretti include witchery, drug wars, the Falklans War, the New Testament and World War II. Composers are either confirmed lyricists (Friedrich Cerha, Mark Adamoi and Rodion Shchedrin) or newcomers (Diego Collatti, D.J. Sparr, Sebastian Rivas).
Friedrich Cerha : Onkel Präsident Musical farce (100 minutes) Libretto : Peter Wolf, after Ferenc Molnár’s One, Two, Three München, Prinzregententheater (Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz) June 1, 2013
with Robert Holl, Renatus Mészár, Susanne Ellen Kirchesch, Snejinka Avramova, Martin Hausberg. Conducted by Marco Comin. Directed by Josef E. Köpplinger. Based on Ferenc Molnár’s play filmed by Billy Wilder in 1961, Cerha describes the transformation of the cycle courier Josef Powolny into a top executive with a title. "Uncle President", the all-powerful head of a steel corporation, pulls out all the stops to "invent" a presentable husband for millionaire heiress Melody Moneymaker.
Jeff Myers : Satan’s Bride Opera in 3 Acts Libretto : Royce Vavrek Philadelphia (PA), Prince Music Theater (Center City Opera Theater) June 6, 2013
With Jennifer Braun, Paul Corujo, Patrick McNally, Karina Sweeney, Cristina Rivera, Brynn Terry. This opera is inspired by the true story of Maren Olsdatter, a 12-year-old girl from Norway. In 1663 she was accused of dalliances with the devil, only a few years after her mother was burned at the stake in one of the most devastating witch hunts in history. When told that she would continue to be tortured, she confessed to witchery, claiming that she had visited hell and was given a tour by Satan himself. This opera uses Maren's supposed journey to the depths as its starting place. more on p. 2
DVD Wolfgang Rihm : Œdipus, ArtHaus Musik, 101 667 with Andreas Schmidt, William Pell, William Dooley, Lenus Carlson, William Murray. First performed in Berlin on October 4, 1987. Based on Hölderlin’s translation of Sophokles’ play, the classical story of the man who killed his father and fathered four children with his mother, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of the oracle. Conducted by Christof Prick. Directed by Götz Friedrich.
Leporello - Nr. 21 - June 2013
page 1
World Première Performances Matthias Heep : Momo Children Opera Libretto : Matthias Heep, after Michael Ende Stuttgart, Kammertheater (Oper Stuttgart) June 6, 2013
with Jeanne Seguin, Ricardo Frenzel Baudisch, György Mozsár, Eva-Maria Wurltizer, Marco Ascani. Conducted by Till Drömann. Directed by Barbara Tacchini. Momo has a strange influence on people she meets : they reconcile, they live and laugh again. But in town, gray men have stolen the people’s time savings. Momo brings the thieves to justice and frees Time.
D.J. Sparr : Approaching Ali Opera (60 minutes) Libretto : Mark Campbell and Davis Miller Washington (DC), Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater June 8, 2013
with David Kravitz, Soloman Howard, Aundi Marie Moore, Ethan McKelvain, Catherine Martin Conducted by Steven Jarvi Directed by Nicole A. Watson. The opera tells the story of a reporter’s transformative meeting with the boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
Diego Collatti : The Ballad of El Muerto Music Drama Libretto : Juan Tafur Vienna, Hundsturm (Wiener Festwochen) June 6, 2013
with Helmut Berger, Emanuel Fellmer, Ingrid Habermann, Elisabeth Nelhiebel, David Robinson conducted by Diego Collatti directed by Hannan Ishay Chamber ensemble : percussion, piano, guitarre, contrabass, trumpet and violin. 6 singers The opera takes its inspiration from the Mexican folksong tradition of the “corridos”, and the “narcocorridos” dealing with drug wars, glorifying the lives of cartel bosses. This new work speaks of the “Mexican dream” and the attempt to carve out a better life by joining the game played by the others : the cartels, the corrupt politicians, public prosecutors and police units.
Sebastian Rivas : Aliados Opera (70 minutes) Libretto : Esteban Buch Gennevilliers, Théâtre June 14, 2013
With Nora Petrocenko, Lionel Peintre, Richard Dubelski, Mélanie Boisvert, Thill Mantero. Conducted by Léo Warynski Directed by Antoine Gindt This new opera is inspired by recent history, more precisely the Eighties, around the time of the Falklands War. Two huge, ageing figures of authority (Lady Margaret Thatcher and General Augusto Pinochet) find themselves as confederates, while one of them will shortly have to account for his crimes before a court. more on p. 3
Leporello - Nr. 21 - June 2013
page 2
World Première Performances Terence Blanchard : Champion An Opera in Jazz Libretto : Michael Cristofer Saint Louis (MO), Opera Theatre June 15, 2013
Mark Adamo : The Gospel of Mary Magdalene Opera in 2 Acts (2 hours and 20 minutes) Libretto : the composer San Francisco (CA), War Memorial Opera House June 19, 2013
with Arthur Woodley, Aubrey Allicock, Denyce Graves, Robert Orth, Meredith Arwady, Brian Arreola. Conducted by George Manahan. Directed by James Robinson.
with Sasha Cooke, Maria Kanyova, William Burden, Nathan Gunn. Conducted by Mark Adamo Directed by Michael Christie.
The libretto is inspired by the true story of Emile Griffith, who claimed the title of World Welterweight Champion in a fatal 1962 fight which transformed him into a tragic hero and left the two-year old son of his opponent without a father. The opera begins 40 years later, on the morning Emile is to meet his opponent’s son for the first time. Flooded by memories of his career, Emile embarks on the universal journey of any hero — finding himself in the face of his greatest tragedy.
Drawing from ancient texts and scholarship, composer and librettist Mark Adamo re-imagines the story of Jesus and the people closest to him — including the misunderstood woman who loved him most dearly and heard his message most clearly.
Michael F. Williams : The Juniper Passion
Rodion Shchedrin : Levsha
A Dramatic Opera in 3 Acts Libretto : John Davies Cassino, Teatro Romano June 21, 2013
Opera in two acts Libretto : composer after Nikolai Leskov (The LeftHander) St. Petersburg, Mariinsky Theatre June 26, 2013
with Alessandro Luciano, Stephanie Acraman, Lilia Carpinelli, Julia Booth, James Ioelu, Joe Beckwith. Conducted by Marco Attura. Directed by John G. Davies.
with : cast unknown. Conducted by Valery Gergiev. In concert.
The libretto is based on the Battle of Montecassino during World War II, written from the perspective of a New Zealand soldier, a Benedictine monk and a German officer.
The plot is grotesque and exaggerated but this is contrasted by striking and expressive characters. The two Tsars, Alexander I and Nikolai I, make an appearance in the tale, which also incorporates the Winter Palace, the English court, a burlesque comedy, a tragedy, laughter and tears.
Leporello - Nr. 21 - June 2013
page 3
In my collection Below are listed parts of my collection. There will be more in the next issues.
1) Program books : - Gerald Barry : The Importance of Being Earnest, London, April 26, 2012 (PDF) - Cristian Carrara : Oliver Twist, Modena, December 16, 2012 - Franz Koglmann : Join !, Vienna (Wiener Festwochen), May 8, 2013 - Theo Loevendie : Gassir, Amsterdam, May 30, 1993 - Knut Vaage : Khairos, Oslo, May 10, 2013 - Fabio Vacchi : La Station thermale, Lyon, November 13, 1993 - Peter-Jan Wagemans : Andreas weent, Amsterdam, October 20, 2012 (PDF)
2) Full scores : - John Adams, Doctor Atomic, New York : Boosey & Hawkes, 2005, 556 p. - Judith Weir, Blond Eckbert (Pocket version), London : Chester Music, 2006, 152 p.
3) Libretto : - Kamran Ince / Miriam Seidel, Judgment of Midas, Milwaukee : The Cooperage, 2013, 53 p.
4) CD : Pascal Dusapin : Roméo & Juliette, Accord, 472 726-2 with Françoise Kubler, Nicholas Isherwood, Cyrille Gerstenhaber, Julien Combey. First performed in Montpellier on July 10, 1989. It is the story of a project : how to sing together, how to become a true opera duo. Recorded in Mulhouse and Paris in 1990. Conducted by Lucas Pfaff. Morton Feldman : Neither, hat[now]Art 180 with Sarah Leonard. First performed in Rome on June 10, 1977. With words by Samuel Beckett, this opera provides a musical equivalent to the environment that Beckett’s words suggest. Recorded in Frankfurt on February 20, 1990. Conducted by Zoltán Peskó Alexander Knaifel : The Canterville Ghost, Le Chant du Monde, LDC 288009 with Stanislav Suleymanov and Tatiana Monogarova. First performed in Leningrad on February 26, 1974. The plot of Wilde’s ghost story is concentrated completely on the sad fate of the old ghost. Recorded in Moscow in September 1990. Conducted by Mikahil Yurovsky. Manfred Trojahn : Enrico, cpo, 999 160-2 with Richard Salter, Trudeliese Schmidt, Frances Lucey, Lars Magnusson First performed in Schwetzingen on April 10, 1991. Based on Pirandello’s drama, the opera is about man’s inability to know himself and others. Live recording of the first performance. Conducted by Dennis Russell Davies. Eduard Tubin : The Parson of Reigi, Ondine, ODE 783-2D with Teo Maiste, Marika Eensalu, Ivo Kuusk, Annika Tônuri, Urve Tauts First performed in Tartu on June 10, 1979. Catharina, the parson’s wife, is in love with the deacon. Both are condemned to death. Recorded in Tallinn in September 1991. Conducted by Paul Mägi. COWARC holds a collection of more than 6,600 documents published by opera companies since 1989 with information about more than 144,000 performances. A great amount of information has also been gathered on Shakespearean operas from all times and all countries. Leporello is published by COWARC - Contemporary Opera Worldwide Archive and Research Center 29, rue de la Clef, F-75005 Paris Directeur de la publication : Mathias LEHN - Rédacteur en chef : Mathias LEHN contact : Leporello21@orange.fr © COWARC, 2013
Leporello - Nr. 21 - June 2013
page 4