“The story of Orpheus in the underworld is about us all. We all have something of Orpheus in us. Who would not want to turn back the clock every now and then and stick to the happiness of the past? That is why the Orpheus story has always inspired artists of all times. For this staging, director Monique Wagemakers, choreographer Nanine Linning, designer Lonneke Gordijn from Studio Drift and fashion designer Marlou Breuls created L’ORFEO for the Nederlandse Reisopera. Their vision is that of a Gesamtkunstwerk; stage direction, choreography, sculpture, costume and music are completely merged together. Nanine Linning and...
“Take home these two operatic masterpieces, written by an award winning team: George Benjamin (music and conductor), Martin Crimp (text), and Katie Mitchell (director). Written on Skin – A ‘magic and irresistible’ opera, telling the story of a boy asked to create a book to celebrate the life of a powerful Protector. Lessons in Love and Violence – Inspired by the life of Edward II and Piers Gaveston, this opera explores how personal relationships can have fatal political consequences.” DVD and Blu-ray copies now available!
George Benjamin’s Lessons in Love and Violence has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Opera Recording. I would like to congratulate my LILAV colleagues on the nomination and wish them all the best of luck for the results at the Award Ceremony next week (Monday 27th January)!
Well it’s been a very demanding and emotional six weeks here in Enschede for the Reisopera’s new production of L’Orfeo – putting all the various elements together for this quite audacious version of Monteverdi’s wonderful opera. Tonight is the dress rehearsal and we open the tour on Saturday, in the Wilmink Theatre. This show is a real labour of love and a totally collaborative project, incorporating contemporary movement (from both singers and dancers alike), an excellent vocal and dance cast, clear vision from Monique Wakemakers and choreographic wizardry from the force of nature that is Nanine Linning. To top it all, a groundbreaking moving...
George Benjamin’s Lessons in Love and Violence has been nominated for an Olivier Award in the category Best New Opera Production. This darkly dramatic new opera was a major event in contemporary music – the latest collaboration between composer George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp. Conducted by Benjamin, the world premiere of Lessons in Love and Violence took place at the Royal Opera House in May 2018 and starred an internationally renowned cast including baritone Stéphane Degout as King Edward II, soprano Barbara Hannigan as Queen Isabel, baritone Gyula Orendt as Gaveston, tenor Peter Hoare as Mortimer and Samuel Boden as Boy / Young...
I have been featured in an article written by Clare Colvin for Express in which we discuss the role of Boy / Young King which George Benjamin created for me in his latest opera Lessons in Love and Violence. The piece will premier at the Royal Opera House on 10th May 2018.
