Dramatic tableaux for 14 soloists, small female chorus and chamber orchestra
Music Text Robin Blaser (E-L)
ScoringMain roles: S,T,Bar
Secondary roles: 2CT,4T,2Bar,BBar,2B
Chorus (amplified): 3S,3M,3A; pre-recorded female chorus; pre-recorded mixed chorus
2(I,II=picc,afl).2(I,II=corA).2(I=Ebcl,bcl,II=bcl,dbcl).2(I,II=dbn)-
2.2.2(I=btpt,btrbn,II=btrbn).1-timp.perc(2):2tgl/mark tree/4wdbl/4tpl.bl/guiro/
cabaca/tamb/4bongos/2tom-t/2military dr/TD/2BD(sm,lg)/2hi-hats/
3susp.cym(+bow)/lg tam-t/tam-t(ampl)/lg nipple gong/nohharp(amplified)-synth.sampler+keyboard or laptop+keyboard-
accordion(amplified)-strings(0.0.6.4.3)
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our
Opera section.
World Premiere4/18/2000
Staatsoper, Berlin
Martin Duncan, director / Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin / Daniel Barenboim
Press Quotes "...a magnificent and enthralling work... Birtwistle has created a powerfully melancholic soundworld, at once richly lyrical and hieratic."
The Observer ""Who is the betrayer? What has been betrayed?" Christ taunts his disciples. And with those words he forces the 11 to re-admit Judas to the circle of apostles... Ultimately Christ and the apostles enter the olive garden. The cock crows. The end. What hardly seems like musico-dramatic material is transformed into an utterly gripping uninterrupted two hours of music theatre thanks to a compelling libretto by Blaser and the unyieldingly riveting music of Birtwistle."
Die WeltMore on this Composer
