Lyric Opera of Melbourne presents The Rape Of Lucretia
Twice the talent, twice the passion…… at less than half the price!
The Lyric Opera of Melbourne presents Benjamin Britten’s chamber masterpiece
The Rape Of Lucretia @ The Assembly Hall, Melbourne - Sept 23, 24, 28, 30 & Oct 1.
A tale of Politics, Passion, Jealousy, Honour and Death… all the makings of great Drama!
The Rape Of Lucretia is an opera in two acts by Benjamin Britten. Based on the play, Le Viol de Lucrèce by Andre Obey, and works by Livy and Shakespeare, it is set in Rome, around 510 BC, when the Etruscans ruled during a decadent society. The Roman General Collatinus, boasting of his faithful marriage, instils jealousy into fellow General Junius, who challenges the Etruscan Prince Tarwuinius to put this fidelity to the test, wife Lucretia does not willingly surrender to the Princes advances, resulting in Tarwuinius raping her and as with most classic operas it ends in tragedy.
This contemporary setting of The Rape of Lucretia takes place in the modern day courtroom over two acts. Lucretia’s rape has come before the court, where Tarquinius stands charged. Experience the passion and high drama in a production that draws its inspiration from courtroom drama with a dash of Shakespeare whilst maintaining the integrity of this classic chamber opera.
This will be the first season of Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia seen in Melbourne for at least 30 years. With a stellar cast including internationally renowned tenor, David Hamilton, together with a conductor/director artistic team that has worked together for over 10 years producing some of Melbourne’s finest musical occasions, this is a production not to be missed.
Born in Lowestoft, November 22, 1913, Benjamin Britten began to compose, without guidance, at the age of 5. Peter Grimes, Benjamin Britten’s first opera, had been a huge hit at Sadlers Wells Theatre in London in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. A large-scale opera with full orchestra and chorus, Peter Grimes’ success proved very difficult to follow: the large opera houses in London were seeking to rebuild their audiences and could not afford to take the risk of another new commission and instead were presenting seasons of standard repertoire. Rather than wait for the opera houses to come to him, Britten decided to write an opera with a modest-sized orchestra, a small group of reliable and loyal singers and no over-ambitious staging requirements. The opera premiered at Glyndebourne in the summer of 1946 with eight singers and twelve musicians.
The Lyric Opera of Melbourne staged its first production in March 2003 to critical acclaim. A new company with a vibrant and fresh outlook on opera presentation for this century, committed to producing high quality work that entertains, informs, stimulates and develops new audiences. Our operas are all sung in English and set in small theatres providing a very intimate and direct theatrical experience. The company takes great pride in performing repertoire that is rarely performed elsewhere in Australia, and presenting it in the most accessible manner possible. Lyric Opera is the only Victorian Opera company to publish and produce an entire opera season in 2005.
The Rape of Lucretia Cast:
Lucretia: Belinda Paterson
Bianca: Kerrie Bolton
Lucia: Melanie Adams
Tarquinius: Simon Meadows
Junius: Phillip Joughin
Collatinus: Adrian Tamburini
Male Chorus: David Hamilton
Female Chorus: Danielle Calder
The Rape Of Lucretia
September 23, 24, 28, 30, October 1 at 8pm
The Assembly Hall , 156 Collins Street, Melbourne
Tickets from Ticketmaster: Phone 1300 136 166 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.au
Further information at: www.independent-classics.com.au
