PROGRAMME
GEORGE BENJAMIN: Written on Skin
- Conductor Sir George Benjamin
- Agnès Georgia Jarman
- The Protector Evan Hughes
- Angel 1/The Boy Bejun Mehta
- Angel 2/Marie Victoria Simmonds
- Angel 3/John Robert Murray
- Stage Director Benjamin Davis
ABOUT THIS CONCERT
In the 2018/2019 concert season, two of Germany’s most famous concert
halls, the Elbphilharmonie and the Berlin Philharmonie, have shone their
spotlights on composer George Benjamin. The Mahler Chamber Orchestra is
very happy to again perform a semi-staged version of the composer’s
highly acclaimed opera, Written on Skin, with Sir George Benjamin himself conducting, in both Hamburg and Berlin.
Written on Skin
is one of the most successful operas of recent times. Since its
premiere with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, at the Festival
d’Aix-en-Provence in 2012, the work has been performed around the world
in renowned opera houses and international festivals. In addition to the
world premiere, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra has performed the opera in
New York, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Cologne, Dortmund and Amsterdam.
In March of 2016 the MCO premiered the semi-staged production of the
opera. This tour will offer the premiere of George Benjamin’s exquisite
opera Written on Skin in both Hamburg and Berlin.
“This
opera was designed for the Mahler Chamber Orchestra,” explained George
Benjamin in a 2012 interview. “I could remember the sound of the
orchestra and its special qualities while writing.” George Benjamin
chose the MCO to play the world premiere of his new opera after having
conducted the orchestra in a concert at the Lucerne Festival in 2009. “I
was physically struck by the sound the orchestra makes; it has a sort
of golden colour. It was one of the most important, meaningful musical
collaborations I can remember in all my life.”
American countertenor Bejun Mehta reprises his role as First Angel/Boy,
which he performed in the highly lauded 2012 world premiere.
Additionally, singers Georgia Jarman, Evan Hughes, Victoria Simmonds,
and Robert Murray join the Mahler Chamber Orchestra for all-star
performances of this highly acclaimed opera.