Lady Sarashina (opera)

Lady Sarashina is an opera in nine tableaux by Hungarian composer Péter Eötvös to a libretto by Mari Mezei, based on As I crossed a Bridge of Dreams, fragments of an 11th-century diary (Japan, 1008) by Takasue's daughter, also known as Lady Sarashina. It premiered on 4 March 2008 at the Opéra National de Lyon. The opera is the result of a commission by the opera in Lyon; it was broadcast in full on France Musique on 27 September 2008.

Lady Sarashina
Opera by Péter Eötvös
The composer in Gáspár Stekovics's photo
LibrettistMari Mezei
Based onAs I crossed a Bridge of Dreams
Premiere
3 March 2008 (2008-03-03)
Opéra National de Lyon

Libretto

Lady Sarashina lived in Japan in the eleventh century, a time of high civilization where Japanese women held an essential role in social, economic and cultural life. She is the author of a classic piece in Japanese literature, The Journal of Sarashina. In her diary, she writes about her love of Japanese nature and landscapes, describes the sites she visits, the pilgrimages, dreams and monologues about life and death. In the opera, Lady Sarashina narrates her life. All the other roles are portrayed by three other singers, the Vocal Trio.[1]

Roles
RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 4 March 2008
Conductor: Peter Eötvös[2]
Lady SarashinasopranoMireille Delunsch
Trio vocal:
Le Garde, Le Bouffon, Le Messager, Le Père, Le Chat, Le Bonze, Le Gentilhomme		baritonePeter Bording
Trio vocal:
La Princesse, La Jeune Lady, Une dame du rêve		sopranoIlse Eerens
Trio vocal:
L'Impératrice, La Mère, La Sœur, Une dame du rêve, La Dame d'honneur		mezzo-sopranoSalome Kammer
OrchestraOrchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon
DirectorUshio Amagatsu
SetNatsuyuki Nakanishi
CostumesMasatomo Ota
Lighting designYukiko Yoshimoto

The staging was a co-production with the Théâtre national de l'opéra-comique, where it was staged in February 2009.[3] In April 2013, the same production was mounted by the Polish National Opera in Teatr Wielki, Warsaw.[4]

Instrumentation

The instrumentation calls for: 2 fl (both + Piccolo, second + altfl.), 1 ob (+ Eng.horn), 3 clar. (third + basscl.), 2 bassoon (second + contrabassoon), 1 sax (S-A-T-Bar), Winds: 3 - 2- 3- 1, 2 percussion, 1 harp, 1 sampler keyboard Strings: 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2[5]

Critical reception

In 2008, the opera received the prestigious Prix du Syndicat de la critique for Best Musical Creation.[6] The world premiere drew wide international attention from the press. Reviews ranged from favorable to triumphant.[7] [8] [9] [10]

References
  1. "Lady Sarashina". Opéra National de Lyon.
  2. "Fiche spectacle Lady Sarashina". Opéra National de Lyon.
  3. "Fiche spectacle Lady Sarashina". Théâtre national de l'opéra-comique.
  4. "Lady Sarashina". Polish National Opera.
  5. "Lady Sarashina (2007)". Peter Eötvös.
  6. "MEILLEURE CRÉATION MUSICALE: Lady Sarashina". Prix du Syndicat de la critique. Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  7. "FT.com, Arts". Financial Times.
  8. "L'ÉPURE DU RÊVE". ResMusica.
  9. "Het verdriet van een Japanse hofdame". De Standaard.
  10. "Le journal nippon d'Eötvös". La Libre Belgique.
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