Written on Skin

15 August 2015

New York

Saturday 15:00 / Lincoln Center; David H. Koch Theater

BOOK

Mostly Mozart Festival

http://mostlymozart.org

OPERA

PROGRAMME

GEORGE BENJAMIN: Written on Skin

  • Conductor Alan Gilbert
  • Countertenor Tim Mead
  • Soprano Barbara Hannigan
  • Mezzosoprano Victoria Simmonds
  • Tenor Robert Murray
  • Bass Christopher Purves
ABOUT THIS CONCERT

Written on Skin is based on an old Occitane legend – a story of love and death, of power and bravery. The drama takes place in the 13th century, but is told from a modern perspective. A small choir of three angels leads the audience back to the past and narrates the drama, which recounts a love triangle between a protector, his wife, and an illustrator of manuscripts.

George Benjamin's score demands extra orchestral forces, such as a glass harmonica, mandolins, tuned cowbells, a typewriter and bongo drums. It creates a highly expressive soundscape with a wide range of colours, in which instrumental and vocal timbres are closely connected. "For me, the vocal sound is part of the orchestra, and the orchestra is part of the vocal sound," explains Benjamin. “The piece is superb,” stated the Financial Times after the World Premiere. The New Yorker\’s Alex Ross said, “Written on Skin feels like the work of a genius unleashed.”

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CONCERTS THIS TOUR

11 August 2015 New York

Tuesday 19:30pm / Lincoln Center; David H. Koch Theater

Works by: George Benjamin

With: Conductor Alan Gilbert, Countertenor Tim Mead , Soprano Barbara Hannigan , Mezzosoprano Victoria Simmonds , Tenor Robert Murray , Bass Christopher Purves

13 August 2015 New York

Thursday 19:30pm / Lincoln Center; David H. Koch Theater

Works by: George Benjamin

With: Conductor Alan Gilbert, Countertenor Tim Mead , Soprano Barbara Hannigan , Mezzosoprano Victoria Simmonds , Tenor Robert Murray , Bass Christopher Purves