Sukanya (opera)

Sukanya is an opera composed by Ravi Shankar, with libretto by novelist Amit Chaudhuri.[1] It is based on the mythological tale of Sukanya from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, and combines Western operatic conventions with Indian vocal music, konnakol, and Indian instruments.[2]

Sukanya
by Ravi Shankar
LibrettistAmit Chaudhuri
LanguageSanskrit
Premiere
12 May 2017 (2017-05-12)
Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, London

It is Ravi Shankar's only opera and was left unfinished on his death in September 2012. British conductor and composer David Murphy, Shankar's collaborator on the project, finished the score using his detailed notes in 2017. Sukanya received its world premiere in May 2017 at the Royal Opera House in London.[3][4]

Composition history

In 1995, Shankar began composing the opera after he felt inspired by the similarity between the mythological tale of Sukanya, found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, and his own love affair with his wife, also named Sukanya.[2] Aiming to create a "21st-century opera: a cross-cultural, total art work for a globalized world," Shankar worked on the piece till the end of his life.[5]

Instrumentation

Apart from the Western orchestra, the opera makes use of Indian instruments like tabla, sitar, shehnai, and mridangam.[6][7]

Performance history

After Shankar's death in 2012, British conductor and composer David Murphy worked on the piece for five years. He made use of extensive notations that Shankar had left behind, or vocally transmitted to Murphy while he was alive.[8] The opera received its world premiere, in a collaboration with London Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Singers, in May 2017[9] In addition to the opera house, it was performed at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, Curve theatre in Leicester, and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.[10][11][12]

The opera was revived in January 2020 at the Royal Festival Hall in London.[5][13]

References
  1. "Ravi Shankar's opera Sukanya to receive world premiere in May 2017". Royal Opera House. September 29, 2016.
  2. "How Ravi Shankar's Sukanya came to life". Royal Opera House. May 4, 2017.
  3. Lewis, John (May 16, 2017). "Sukanya review – Ravi Shankar's opera is both sublime and ridiculous" – via www.theguardian.com.
  4. "Sukanya, Royal Festival Hall, London, review: This is clearly still a work in progress, with much to be done before it can take off as it deserves to". The Independent. May 22, 2017.
  5. Morrison, Richard. "Sukanya review — Ravi Shankar revival has delightful touches" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  6. CD Booklet, Sukanya by London Philharmonic Orchestra, p.19-21
  7. "Sukanya, RFH review - Ravi Shankar's bright-eyed, varied fable". theartsdesk.com.
  8. "Sukanya review: The perfect tribute to mark Ravi Shankar's centenary year". Evening Standard. January 16, 2020.
  9. Hewett, Ivan (May 13, 2017). "Sukanya was a charming evening of pure escapism – review" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  10. "Ravi Shankar's Sukanya". www.bbc.com.
  11. "Ravi Shankar's Opera Sukanya Delights in Birmingham". bachtrack.com.
  12. "92642 Ravi Shankar's opera - Sukanya 2017". Southbank Centre.
  13. "Sukanya Opera | Events | What's On". www.lpo.org.uk.
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