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Rave Reviews for Opera North's Production of Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins

Dec. 01, 2020

Rave Reviews for Opera North's Production of Kurt Weill's <em>The Seven Deadly Sins</em>

Hailed as “a triumph to pull off in lockdown,” Opera North's sizzling live-streamed production of The Seven Deadly Sins at Leeds Playhouse received rave reviews last month. A direct response to renewed restrictions in the UK, the production used multiple cameras and ingenious stage design to extend its reach into living rooms throughout the world. Directed and choreographed by Gary Clarke and conducted by James Holmes, the production featured mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta and dancer Shelley Eva Haden as the two Annas.


(Livestream Trailer of Opera North's The Seven Deadly Sins)

The press says:

 

“Astute direction... exceptional performances: Giunta’s singing ideally matches Haden’s virtuosic dancing."

★★★★★ The Stage

 
“Director-choreographer Gary Clarke leads a strong cast through each sin with hectic ease.”

★★★★★ New York Stage Review

 

“A savagely brilliant score… that was pungently delivered here in a new cutdown version (HK Gruber and Christian Muthspiel) by the Opera North           orchestra conducted by James Holmes.”

★★★★ The Times

 

“In this spirited new production, social-distancing — so neatly managed as to be quickly forgotten — reinforces the loneliness of the Annas’  trials.”

★★★★ The Guardian

 

“Viscerally thrilling… every syllable has clarity. Every visual nuance speaks volumes.”

★★★★ The Arts Desk



(The Seven Deadly Sins: A Chat With Opera North's Cast and Creative Team)

 

The Seven Deadly Sins for 15 players, prepared by HK Gruber and Christian Muthspiel, is available along with three other versions of the work — including an arrangement for two pianos and percussion. Other celebrated stage and concert works by Kurt Weill for smaller ensembles include Die Dreigroschenoper, Lady in the Dark (reduced orchestration), One Touch of Venus (reduced orchestration), and Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra. See a complete list, including audio samples and additional works by Marc Blitzstein.

To learn more about Kurt Weill, visit: kwf.org.

Kurt Weill
The Seven Deadly Sins (1933/2019)
ballet chanté
Text by Bertolt Brecht
English translation by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman 
Version for 15 players by HK Gruber and Christian Muthspiel  
Anna I · Soprano - Anna II · Dancer - The Family: Tenor I, II, Baritone, Bass (The Mother)
1(pic).0.2.1-1.1.1.0-perc-pno.bjo(gtr)-str(1.1.1.1.1)

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