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Oper Köln Streams a New Production of George Benjamin's Written on Skin

Dec. 01, 2020

On December 1, Oper Köln presented a new production of George Benjamin’s Written on Skin directed by Benjamin Lazar, with François-Xavier Roth conducting the Gürzenich Orchester. Initally planned for a run of six performances, this production premiere was presented digitally as a response ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in Germany.

Lazar is the eighth director to take up the opera since its first production by Katie Mitchell at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in 2012 and worked with a cast including Robin Adams (Protector), Magali Simard-Galdès (Agnès), and Cameron Shahbazi (Angel 1/The Boy). Described as "one of the first masterpieces of the 21st century" by The New York Times, George Benjamin’s ground-breaking opera is a strikingly beautiful and rich score which responds to every nuance of Martin Crimp’s resonant, finely chiselled text.

Tickets for Oper Köln's streamed performance are available from the Oper Köln website and are subject to a 'pay as you wish' donation. 

George Benjamin enthusiasts had the opportunity to glean further insight into his work on BBC Radio 3 earlier this month when he was featured as 'Composer of the Week'. The broadcasts featured discussions with the composer on his experiences with inspiraion, collaboration, conducting and composing. The series covered the breadth of George Benjamin's works; from the crystalline solo piano works, ShadowlinesPiano Figures; to the expressively colourful orchestral works, PalimpsestsThree Inventions for Chamber Orchestra; and the operas for which Benjamin is so celebrated including Into the Little Hill and Lessons in Love and Violence. Written on Skin was also featured during the installments of the show on Monday and Wednesday.


(George Benjamin describes his experience of writing Written on Skin with the Royal Opera House)


To learn more about George Benjamin, visit: fabermusic.com.

George Benjamin

Written on Skin (2012)

opera in three parts

text (Eng) by Martin Crimp

for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone and countertenor

3(2.pic, 3.pic & afl).2.2.bcl(cl).cbcl.2(2.cbsn)-4.4(I.ptpt).3.1-4perc-harp-glass harmonica–bass viola da gamba-str
ca. 95’

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