Wake (opera)

Wake is an opera with music by Giorgio Battistelli to a libretto by Sarah Woods. It was premiered on 14 March 2018 by Birmingham Opera Company, in a production by Graham Vick.[1]

Wake
Opera by Giorgio Battistelli
LibrettistSarah Woods
LanguageEnglish
Premiere
14 March 2018
Birmingham
Websitehttps://www.birminghamopera.org.uk/wake-a-new-opera-for-birmingham

The opera, which lasts about 80 minutes, is based on the story of the raising of Lazarus. The production involved participation by non-professionals and audience, who were asked on entry to don veils in mourning for the deceased Lazarus.[2]

Reviews of the opera were mixed. The Stage described the work as an "ambitious immersive opera that lacks clarity" in which the audience is steered around four trailer platforms to be confronted with a variety of scenes including police violence and gay exclusion.[2] The Times found Batistelli's score "diffuse, [with] dated and forgettable avante-garde effects that Penderecki and Berio were doing better half a century ago", and concluded that "unlike Lazarus, it's not likely to be revived."[3] However, it received five stars from the Birmingham Post, who described it as "a sold out success" and stated that "Wake continues BOC's record of combining innovation and engagement with sheer quality". The Arts Desk also wrote an enthusiastic review, describing the piece as "a musical-dramatic experience that leaves you with ears buzzing, mind racing, and ready to reassess everything you thought you knew about opera".[4]

Roles
Role Voice type Premiere
14 March 2018
Birmingham Opera Company at B12 Warehouse, Birmingham
Conductor: Jonathon Heyward
LazarustenorJoshua Stewart
JesusbaritoneElliott Carlton Hines
MarthasopranoNardus Williams
MarysopranoMimi Doulton
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References
  1. Wake: A New Opera for Birmingham, Birmingham Opera Company website, accessed 16 March 2018.
  2. George Hall, "Wake review at B12 Warehouse, Birmingham", 15 March 2018, The Stage website, accessed 16 March 2018.
  3. Richard Morrison, "I prayed for the end", The Times, 16 March 2018, Times 2 section, p. 15.
  4. "Wake, Birmingham Opera Company review - power to the people". theartsdesk.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
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