Angels in America
Opera in two parts
Commissioned by Théâtre du Châtelet Paris
Description
World premiere: 23 November 2004, Paris, Châtelet
Conductor: Peter Eötvös
Staging: Philippe Calvario
Opera based on Tony Kushner’s play
Libretto: Mari Mezei
Original language: English
The two-part play by Tony Kushner (“Millennium Approaches” and “Perestroika”) is one of the most important dramas of 20th century American literature. Both parts of the play were performed around the world in the 1990s, and have been filmed. The drama which lasts for seven hours has been re-structured by Mari Mezei and this opera version lasts between two, and two and a half hours. The premiere of the opera was take place in November 2004 in Paris, at the Châtelet Theater, the commissioners of this work.
The New York author Tony Kushner, very politically aware, describes the American neurosis at the turn to a new Millennium as a dark nightmare set within dramatic hallucinations. Many of the main characters are persons from real life, as for example Ethel Rosenberg, who has been sent by the criminal lawyer (Roy Cohn) – a collaborator of McCarthy – to death on the electric chair. Ethel Rosenberg’s spirit appears in Kushner’s play, and in the opera as well, to watch the painful death of AIDS suffered Roy Cohn.
Synopsis
Angels in America focuses on the stories of two troubled couples, one gay, one straight: Louis Ironson and Prior Walter, and Mormon lawyer Joe Pitt and his wife Harper. After the funeral of Louis’s grandmother, Prior tells him that he has contracted AIDS, and Louis panics, realizing he cannot stand the strain and fear. Meanwhile, Joe is offered a job in the Justice Department by Roy Cohn, his right-wing, bigoted mentor and friend. But Harper, who is addicted to Valium and suffers anxiety and hallucinations, does not want to move to Washington.
Performances
Eötvös: Angels in America
Cond: Christopher Lichtensein
Stage & Costumes: Adriane Westerbarkey
Dramaturge: Sarah Grahneis
Director: Florentine Klepper
Cast:
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson / Angel Oceania: Joska Lehtinen
Joseph Pitt / Ghost 2 / Angel Europe: Maximilian Krummen
Harper Pitt / Ethel Rosenberg / Angel Antarctica: Milda Tubelytė
Hannah Pitt / Rabbi Chemelwitz / Henry / Angel Asian: Zhenyi Hou
Roy Cohn / Ghost 1 / Angel Australia: Rainer Mesecke
Belize / Mr. Lies / Woman / Angel Africanii: Rik Willebrords
The Angel / Voice: Jelena Bankovic
Venue: State Theatre Braunschweig
Eötvös: Angels in America
Cond: Christopher Lichtensein
Stage & Costumes: Adriane Westerbarkey
Dramaturge: Sarah Grahneis
Director: Florentine Klepper
Cast:
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson / Angel Oceania: Joska Lehtinen
Joseph Pitt / Ghost 2 / Angel Europe: Maximilian Krummen
Harper Pitt / Ethel Rosenberg / Angel Antarctica: Milda Tubelytė
Hannah Pitt / Rabbi Chemelwitz / Henry / Angel Asian: Zhenyi Hou
Roy Cohn / Ghost 1 / Angel Australia: Rainer Mesecke
Belize / Mr. Lies / Woman / Angel Africanii: Rik Willebrords
The Angel / Voice: Jelena Bankovic
Venue: State Theatre Braunsweig
Eötvös: Angels in America
Müpa Budapest
Hungarian Radio Orchestra, cond. Peter Eötvös
Neue Oper Wien production
12 October 2019,
Venue: Müpa Budapest
https://m.mupa.hu/program/komolyzene-opera-szinhaz/eotvos-peter-angels-in-america-2019-10-12_19-00-fesztivalszinhaz
Eötvös: Angels in America
Hungarian Radio Orchestra, cond. Peter Eötvös
Neue Oper Wien production
10 October 2019, Müpa Budapest
https://www.mupa.hu/program/komolyzene-opera-szinhaz/eotvos-peter-angels-in-america-magyarorszagi-bemutato-2019-10-10_19-00-fesztivalszinhaz
Eötvös: Angels in America
Neue Oper Wien
Conductor: Walter Kobéra
Eötvös: Angels in America
Neue Oper Wien
Conductor: Walter Kobéra
Eötvös: Angels in America
Neue Oper Wien
Conductor: Walter Kobéra
Eötvös: Angels in America - New production
New production
Premiere
Neue Oper Wien
Conductor: Walter Kobéra
Eötvös: Angels in America
new production
Neue Oper Wien, cond. Walter Kobéra
26, 29 September, 1, 2 October Vienna, Austria
Eötvös: Angels in America
Universität der Künster Berlin
Conductor: Enrico Fresis
Stage Director: Isabel Hindersin
Eötvös: Angels in America
Universität der Künster Berlin
Conductor: Enrico Fresis
Stage Director: Isabel Hindersin
Eötvös: Angels in America
Universität der Künster Berlin
Conductor: Enrico Fresis
Stage Director: Isabel Hindersin
Eötvös: Angels in America
Universität der Künster Berlin
Conductor: Enrico Fresis
Stage Director: Isabel Hindersin
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Freiburg - new production
Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Stage Director: Ingo Kerkhof
Stage design: Dirk Becker
Costume: Inge Medert
Cast:
Susana Schnell (Angel),
Inga Schäfer (Harper Pitt),
Anja Jung (Hannah Pitt),
Andreas Jankowitsch (Roy Cohn),
Joshua Kohl (Louis Ironson),
John Carpenter (Joseph Pitt),
Robin Adams (Prior Walter),
Bernhard Landauer (Belize),
Irina Jae Eun Park (Vocaltrio S),
Jongsoo Yang (Vocaltrio B)
Yuki Toyoshima (Vocaltrio M)
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Freiburg - new production
Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Stage Director: Ingo Kerkhof
Stage design: Dirk Becker
Costume: Inge Medert
Cast:
Susana Schnell (Angel),
Inga Schäfer (Harper Pitt),
Anja Jung (Hannah Pitt),
Andreas Jankowitsch (Roy Cohn),
Joshua Kohl (Louis Ironson),
John Carpenter (Joseph Pitt),
Robin Adams (Prior Walter),
Bernhard Landauer (Belize),
Irina Jae Eun Park (Vocaltrio S),
Jongsoo Yang (Vocaltrio B)
Yuki Toyoshima (Vocaltrio M)
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Freiburg - new production
Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Stage Director: Ingo Kerkhof
Stage design: Dirk Becker
Costume: Inge Medert
Cast:
Susana Schnell (Angel),
Inga Schäfer (Harper Pitt),
Anja Jung (Hannah Pitt),
Andreas Jankowitsch (Roy Cohn),
Joshua Kohl (Louis Ironson),
John Carpenter (Joseph Pitt),
Robin Adams (Prior Walter),
Bernhard Landauer (Belize),
Irina Jae Eun Park (Vocaltrio S),
Jongsoo Yang (Vocaltrio B)
Yuki Toyoshima (Vocaltrio M)
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Freiburg - new production
Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Stage Director: Ingo Kerkhof
Stage design: Dirk Becker
Costume: Inge Medert
Cast:
Susana Schnell (Angel),
Inga Schäfer (Harper Pitt),
Anja Jung (Hannah Pitt),
Andreas Jankowitsch (Roy Cohn),
Joshua Kohl (Louis Ironson),
John Carpenter (Joseph Pitt),
Robin Adams (Prior Walter),
Bernhard Landauer (Belize),
Irina Jae Eun Park (Vocaltrio S),
Jongsoo Yang (Vocaltrio B)
Yuki Toyoshima (Vocaltrio M)
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Freiburg - new production
Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Stage Director: Ingo Kerkhof
Stage design: Dirk Becker
Costume: Inge Medert
Cast:
Susana Schnell (Angel),
Inga Schäfer (Harper Pitt),
Anja Jung (Hannah Pitt),
Andreas Jankowitsch (Roy Cohn),
Joshua Kohl (Louis Ironson),
John Carpenter (Joseph Pitt),
Robin Adams (Prior Walter),
Bernhard Landauer (Belize),
Irina Jae Eun Park (Vocaltrio S),
Jongsoo Yang (Vocaltrio B)
Yuki Toyoshima (Vocaltrio M)
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Freiburg - new production
Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Stage Director: Ingo Kerkhof
Stage design: Dirk Becker
Costume: Inge Medert
Cast:
Susana Schnell (Angel),
Inga Schäfer (Harper Pitt),
Anja Jung (Hannah Pitt),
Andreas Jankowitsch (Roy Cohn),
Joshua Kohl (Louis Ironson),
John Carpenter (Joseph Pitt),
Robin Adams (Prior Walter),
Bernhard Landauer (Belize),
Irina Jae Eun Park (Vocaltrio S),
Jongsoo Yang (Vocaltrio B)
Yuki Toyoshima (Vocaltrio M)
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Freiburg - new production
Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Stage Director: Ingo Kerkhof
Stage design: Dirk Becker
Costume: Inge Medert
Cast:
Susana Schnell (Angel),
Inga Schäfer (Harper Pitt),
Anja Jung (Hannah Pitt),
Andreas Jankowitsch (Roy Cohn),
Joshua Kohl (Louis Ironson),
John Carpenter (Joseph Pitt),
Robin Adams (Prior Walter),
Bernhard Landauer (Belize),
Irina Jae Eun Park (Vocaltrio S),
Jongsoo Yang (Vocaltrio B)
Yuki Toyoshima (Vocaltrio M)
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
Theater Münster - new production
Sinfonieorchester Münster
Conductor: Golo Berg
Stage director: Carlos Wagner
Stage and costume design: Christophe Ouvrard
Cast:
The Angel: Kathrin Filip
Harper Pitt: Kristi-Anna Isene
Hannah Pitt: Suzanne McLeod
Joseph Pitt: Filippo Bettoschi
Prior Walter: Christian Miedl
Louis Ironson: David Zimmer
Belize: Yosemeh Adjei
Roy Cohn: Christoph Stegemann
Vocal trio: Melanie Spitau, Barbara Bräckelmann, Frederik Schauhoff
Eötvös: Angels in America
New York City Opera
Conductor: Pacien Mazzagatti
Stage Director: Sam Helfrich
Set Design: John Farrell
Lighting: Derek van Heel
Costumes: Kaye Voyce
Sound: Mark Grey
Cast:
The angel: Kirsten Chambers
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Sarah Beckham-Turner
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Sarah Castle
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.:Michael Weyandt
Prior Walter: Andrew GarlandLouis Ironson: Aaron Blake
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Matthew Reese
Roy Cohn/Ghost I.: Wayne Tigges
Venue: New York City Opera
Eötvös: Angels in America
New York City Opera
Conductor: Pacien Mazzagatti
Stage Director: Sam Helfrich
Set Design: John Farrell
Lighting: Derek van Heel
Costumes: Kaye Voyce
Sound: Mark Grey
Cast:
The angel: Kirsten Chambers
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Sarah Beckham-Turner
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Sarah Castle
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.:Michael Weyandt
Prior Walter: Andrew GarlandLouis Ironson: Aaron Blake
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Matthew Reese
Roy Cohn/Ghost I.: Wayne Tigges
Venue: New York City Opera
Eötvös: Angels in America
New York City Opera
Conductor: Pacien Mazzagatti
Stage Director: Sam Helfrich
Set Design: John Farrell
Lighting: Derek van Heel
Costumes: Kaye Voyce
Sound: Mark Grey
Cast:
The angel: Kirsten Chambers
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Sarah Beckham-Turner
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Sarah Castle
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.:Michael Weyandt
Prior Walter: Andrew GarlandLouis Ironson: Aaron Blake
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Matthew Reese
Roy Cohn/Ghost I.: Wayne Tigges
Venue: New York City Opera
Eötvös: Angels in America
New York City Opera
Conductor: Pacien Mazzagatti
Stage Director: Sam Helfrich
Set Design: John Farrell
Lighting: Derek van Heel
Costumes: Kaye Voyce
Sound: Mark Grey
Cast:
The angel: Kirsten Chambers
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Sarah Beckham-Turner
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Sarah Castle
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.:Michael Weyandt
Prior Walter: Andrew GarlandLouis Ironson: Aaron Blake
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Matthew Reese
Roy Cohn/Ghost I.: Wayne Tigges
Venue: New York City Opera
Eötvös: Angels in America
Venue: Boston University Theatre, USA
Conductor: William Lumpkin
Stage Director: Jim Petosa
Scenic Design: Ryan Bates
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Costume Design: Emma Connelly
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Sound Design: Jennifer Timms
Cast:
The angel: Arielle Basile, Helen Hassinger
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Kaitlin Bertenshaw, Kelley Hollis
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Kylee Slee, Sara Beth Shelton
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.: Darrick Speller, Franklin Mosley
Prior Walter: Benjamin C. Taylor, John Allen Nelson
Louis Ironson: Jesse Darden, John David Nevergall
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Bryan Pollock, Patrick Dailey
Roy Cohn/Ghost I. Jorgeandrés Camargo, Erik Van Heyningen
Eötvös: Angels in America
Venue: Boston University Theatre, USA
Conductor: William Lumpkin
Stage Director: Jim Petosa
Scenic Design: Ryan Bates
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Costume Design: Emma Connelly
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Sound Design: Jennifer Timms
Cast:
The angel: Arielle Basile, Helen Hassinger
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Kaitlin Bertenshaw, Kelley Hollis
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Kylee Slee, Sara Beth Shelton
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.: Darrick Speller, Franklin Mosley
Prior Walter: Benjamin C. Taylor, John Allen Nelson
Louis Ironson: Jesse Darden, John David Nevergall
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Bryan Pollock, Patrick Dailey
Roy Cohn/Ghost I. Jorgeandrés Camargo, Erik Van Heyningen
Eötvös: Angels in America
Venue: Boston University Theatre, USA
Conductor: William Lumpkin
Stage Director: Jim Petosa
Scenic Design: Ryan Bates
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Costume Design: Emma Connelly
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Sound Design: Jennifer Timms
Cast:
The angel: Arielle Basile, Helen Hassinger
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Kaitlin Bertenshaw, Kelley Hollis
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Kylee Slee, Sara Beth Shelton
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.: Darrick Speller, Franklin Mosley
Prior Walter: Benjamin C. Taylor, John Allen Nelson
Louis Ironson: Jesse Darden, John David Nevergall
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Bryan Pollock, Patrick Dailey
Roy Cohn/Ghost I. Jorgeandrés Camargo, Erik Van Heyningen
Eötvös: Angels in America
Venue: Boston University Theatre, USA
Conductor: William Lumpkin
Stage Director: Jim Petosa
Scenic Design: Ryan Bates
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Costume Design: Emma Connelly
Lighting Design: Jessica Elliott
Sound Design: Jennifer Timms
Cast:
The angel: Arielle Basile, Helen Hassinger
Harper Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg: Kaitlin Bertenshaw, Kelley Hollis
Hannah Pitt/Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry: Kylee Slee, Sara Beth Shelton
Joseph Pitt/Gost II.: Darrick Speller, Franklin Mosley
Prior Walter: Benjamin C. Taylor, John Allen Nelson
Louis Ironson: Jesse Darden, John David Nevergall
Belize/Mr. Lies/Woman: Bryan Pollock, Patrick Dailey
Roy Cohn/Ghost I. Jorgeandrés Camargo, Erik Van Heyningen
Eötvös: Angels in America
Opera Wroclaw
conductor: Christian Schumann
Stage director: András Almási-Tóth
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Maurice Lenhard - Joseph Pitt
Gyula Rab - Louis Ironson
Lukas Dulewicz - Belize, Mr Lies
Dorota Dutkowska - Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Michal Kowalik - Roy Cohn
Malgorzata Godlewska - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Aleksandra Kubas-Kruk - Angel
Eötvös: Angels in America
Opera Wroclaw
conductor: Peter Eötvös
Stage director: András Almási-Tóth
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Maurice Lenhard - Joseph Pitt
Gyula Rab - Louis Ironson
Lukas Dulewicz - Belize, Mr Lies
Dorota Dutkowska - Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Michal Kowalik - Roy Cohn
Malgorzata Godlewska - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Aleksandra Kubas-Kruk - Angel
Eötvös: Angels in America
Los Angeles Philharmonic - concert version
Conductor: Pablo Heras Casado
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Nikolas Sean-Paul Nackley - Joseph Pitt
Jonas Olofsson - Louis
Brian Asawa - Mr Lies
Janice Hall - Hannah
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Julia Migenes - Harper Pitt
Measha Brueggergosman - Angel
Eötvös: Angels in America
Contemporary Opera Festival
Polish premiere
Wroclaw Opera - concert version
Conductor: Bassem Akiki
Cast:
Alexandra Kubas - Angel
Malgorzata Godlewska - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Dorota Dutkowska - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi, Henry
Jacek Jaskula - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Lukasz Rosiak - Prior Walter
Aleksander Zuchowich - Luis Ironson
Lukasz Dulewicz - Belize, Mr Lies, Woman
Michal Kowalik - Roy Cohn, Gosth
Vocal trio: Malgorzata Wegrzyn-Krzyzosiak, Jolanta Gorecka, Andrzej Zborowski
Eötvös: Angels in America
semi-staged version
Barbican Center
Eötvös: Angels in America
UK premiere
Semi staged - concert version
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: David Robertson
BBC Symphony Orchestra London
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi
Omar Ebrahim - Joseph Pitt
Julia Migenes - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies, Bag Lady
Vocal trio: Swingle Singers
Venue: Barbican Center, London
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: Johannes Erath
Conductor: Erik Nielsen
Set Design: Stefanie Pasterkamp
Light: Joachim Klein
Cast:
Michael McCown - Prior Walter
Nina Bernsteiner - The Angel
Peter Marsh - Louis Ironson
Dietrich Volle - Roy Cohn, Ghost
Christin-Marie Hill- Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Nathaniel Webster - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Jenny Carlstedt - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Jeffrey Kim - Belize, Mr. Lies,
Anja Fidelia Ulrich, diana Schmid, Leszek Solarski - vocal trio
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: Johannes Erath
Conductor: Erik Nielsen
Set Design: Stefanie Pasterkamp
Light: Joachim Klein
Cast:
Michael McCown - Prior Walter
Nina Bernsteiner - The Angel
Peter Marsh - Louis Ironson
Dietrich Volle - Roy Cohn, Ghost
Christin-Marie Hill- Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Nathaniel Webster - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Jenny Carlstedt - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Jeffrey Kim - Belize, Mr. Lies,
Anja Fidelia Ulrich, diana Schmid, Leszek Solarski - vocal trio
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: Johannes Erath
Conductor: Erik Nielsen
Set Design: Stefanie Pasterkamp
Light: Joachim Klein
Cast:
Michael McCown - Prior Walter
Nina Bernsteiner - The Angel
Peter Marsh - Louis Ironson
Dietrich Volle - Roy Cohn, Ghost
Christin-Marie Hill- Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Nathaniel Webster - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Jenny Carlstedt - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Jeffrey Kim - Belize, Mr. Lies,
Anja Fidelia Ulrich, diana Schmid, Leszek Solarski - vocal trio
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: Johannes Erath
Conductor: Erik Nielsen
Set Design: Stefanie Pasterkamp
Light: Joachim Klein
Cast:
Michael McCown - Prior Walter
Nina Bernsteiner - The Angel
Peter Marsh - Louis Ironson
Dietrich Volle - Roy Cohn, Ghost
Christin-Marie Hill- Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Nathaniel Webster - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Jenny Carlstedt - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Jeffrey Kim - Belize, Mr. Lies,
Anja Fidelia Ulrich, diana Schmid, Leszek Solarski - vocal trio
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: Johannes Erath
Conductor: Erik Nielsen
Set Design: Stefanie Pasterkamp
Light: Joachim Klein
Cast:
Michael McCown - Prior Walter
Nina Bernsteiner - The Angel
Peter Marsh - Louis Ironson
Dietrich Volle - Roy Cohn, Ghost
Christin-Marie Hill- Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Nathaniel Webster - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Jenny Carlstedt - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Jeffrey Kim - Belize, Mr. Lies,
Anja Fidelia Ulrich, diana Schmid, Leszek Solarski - vocal trio
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: Johannes Erath
Conductor: Erik Nielsen
Set Design: Stefanie Pasterkamp
Light: Joachim Klein
Cast:
Michael McCown - Prior Walter
Nina Bernsteiner - The Angel
Peter Marsh - Louis Ironson
Dietrich Volle - Roy Cohn, Ghost
Christin-Marie Hill- Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Nathaniel Webster - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Jenny Carlstedt - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Jeffrey Kim - Belize, Mr. Lies,
Anja Fidelia Ulrich, diana Schmid, Leszek Solarski - vocal trio
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: Johannes Erath
Conductor: Erik Nielsen
Set Design: Stefanie Pasterkamp
Light: Joachim Klein
Cast:
Michael McCown - Prior Walter
Nina Bernsteiner - The Angel
Peter Marsh - Louis Ironson
Dietrich Volle - Roy Cohn, Ghost
Christin-Marie Hill- Hannah, Rabbi, Henry
Nathaniel Webster - Joseph Pitt, Ghost
Jenny Carlstedt - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Jeffrey Kim - Belize, Mr. Lies,
Anja Fidelia Ulrich, diana Schmid, Leszek Solarski - vocal trio
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: Christopher Larkin
Set Design: Peter Nigrini, Claudia Stephens
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt
Craig Verm - Joseph Pitt
Erin Smith - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies
Venue: Scott Theatre, Fort Worth
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: Christopher Larkin
Set Design: Peter Nigrini, Claudia Stephens
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt
Craig Verm - Joseph Pitt
Erin Smith - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies
Venue: Scott Theatre, Fort Worth
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: Christopher Larkin
Set Design: Peter Nigrini, Claudia Stephens
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt
Craig Verm - Joseph Pitt
Erin Smith - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies
Venue: Scott Theatre, Fort Worth
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: Christopher Larkin
Set Design: Peter Nigrini, Claudia Stephens
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt
Craig Verm - Joseph Pitt
Erin Smith - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies
Venue: Scott Theatre, Fort Worth
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: Christopher Larkin
Set Design: Peter Nigrini, Claudia Stephens
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt
Craig Verm - Joseph Pitt
Erin Smith - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies
Venue: Scott Theatre, Fort Worth
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: Christopher Larkin
Set Design: Peter Nigrini, Claudia Stephens
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt
Craig Verm - Joseph Pitt
Erin Smith - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies
Venue: Scott Theatre, Fort Worth
Eötvös: Angels in America
Stage Director: David Gately
Conductor: Christopher Larkin
Set Design: Peter Nigrini, Claudia Stephens
Cast:
David Adam Moore - Prior Walter
Ava Pine - The Angel
Scott Scully - Louis Ironson
Kelly Anderson - Roy Cohn
Janice Hall - Hannah Pitt
Craig Verm - Joseph Pitt
Erin Smith - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg
Brian Azawa - Belize, Mr. Lies
Venue: Scott Theatre, Fort Worth
Eötvös: Angels in America - film
Amphi de l`Opéra de Lyon
Eötvös: Angels in America
Opera Unlimited Boston - Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion
Stage Director: Steven Maler
Conductor: Gil Rose
Lighting Designer: Christopher Ostrom
Scenic and Costume Designer: Clint Ramos
Projection Designer: Zachary Borovay
Cast:
Thomas Meglioranza - Prior Walter
Amanda Forsythe - The Angel
Matthew DiBattista - Louis Ironson, Angels Oceania
Drew Poling - Roy Cohn, Ghost I, Angels Australia
Ja-Naé Duane - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi, Henry, Angel Asiatica
Nikolas Sean-Paul Nackley - Joseph Pitt, Ghost II, Angel Europe
Anne Harley - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, Angel Antarctica
Matthew Truss - Belize, Mr. Lies, Woman in the Bronx, Angel Africanii
Geoffrey Hawes, Paul Shafer, Matthew Sherbach - Supernumeraries
Eötvös: Angels in America
Opera Unlimited Boston - Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion
Stage Director: Steven Maler
Conductor: Gil Rose
Lighting Designer: Christopher Ostrom
Scenic and Costume Designer: Clint Ramos
Projection Designer: Zachary Borovay
Cast:
Thomas Meglioranza - Prior Walter
Amanda Forsythe - The Angel
Matthew DiBattista - Louis Ironson, Angels Oceania
Drew Poling - Roy Cohn, Ghost I, Angels Australia
Ja-Naé Duane - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi, Henry, Angel Asiatica
Nikolas Sean-Paul Nackley - Joseph Pitt, Ghost II, Angel Europe
Anne Harley - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, Angel Antarctica
Matthew Truss - Belize, Mr. Lies, Woman in the Bronx, Angel Africanii
Geoffrey Hawes, Paul Shafer, Matthew Sherbach - Supernumeraries
Eötvös: Angels in America
Opera Unlimited Boston - Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion
Stage Director: Steven Maler
Conductor: Gil Rose
Lighting Designer: Christopher Ostrom
Scenic and Costume Designer: Clint Ramos
Projection Designer: Zachary Borovay
Cast:
Thomas Meglioranza - Prior Walter
Amanda Forsythe - The Angel
Matthew DiBattista - Louis Ironson, Angels Oceania
Drew Poling - Roy Cohn, Ghost I, Angels Australia
Ja-Naé Duane - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi, Henry, Angel Asiatica
Nikolas Sean-Paul Nackley - Joseph Pitt, Ghost II, Angel Europe
Anne Harley - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, Angel Antarctica
Matthew Truss - Belize, Mr. Lies, Woman in the Bronx, Angel Africanii
Geoffrey Hawes, Paul Shafer, Matthew Sherbach - Supernumeraries
Eötvös: Angels in America
Holland Festival
Dutch premiere
Hamburg version
Stage Director: Benedikt von Peter
Conductors: Peter Eötvös, Alejo Perez
Cast:
James Bobby - Prior Walter
Julia Sukmanova - The Angel
Maria Theresa Ullrich - Harper, Ethel, Angel Antartica
Anna Steiger - Hannah, Rabbi, Henry, Angel Asiatica
Matthias Lüderitz - Joe, Ghost 2, Angel Europe
Jonas Olofsson - Louis, Angel Oceania
Gary Boyce - Belize, Mr Lies, Woman, Angel Africanii
Tomas Mowes - Roy Cohn, Ghost 1, Angel Australia
Muziekgebouw
Eötvös: Angels in America - US premiere
Opera Unlimited Boston - Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion
Stage Director: Steven Maler
Conductor: Gil Rose
Lighting Designer: Christopher Ostrom
Scenic and Costume Designer: Clint Ramos
Projection Designer: Zachary Borovay
Cast:
Thomas Meglioranza - Prior Walter
Amanda Forsythe - The Angel
Matthew DiBattista - Louis Ironson, Angels Oceania
Drew Poling - Roy Cohn, Ghost I, Angels Australia
Ja-Naé Duane - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi, Henry, Angel Asiatica
Nikolas Sean-Paul Nackley - Joseph Pitt, Ghost II, Angel Europe
Anne Harley - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, Angel Antarctica
Matthew Truss - Belize, Mr. Lies, Woman in the Bronx, Angel Africanii
Geoffrey Hawes, Paul Shafer, Matthew Sherbach - Supernumeraries
Eötvös: Angels in America
Holland Festival
Dutch premiere
Hamburg version
Stage Director: Benedikt von Peter
Conductors: Peter Eötvös, Alejo Perez
Cast:
James Bobby - Prior Walter
Julia Sukmanova - The Angel
Maria Theresa Ullrich - Harper, Ethel, Angel Antartica
Anna Steiger - Hannah, Rabbi, Henry, Angel Asiatica
Matthias Lüderitz - Joe, Ghost 2, Angel Europe
Jonas Olofsson - Louis, Angel Oceania
Gary Boyce - Belize, Mr Lies, Woman, Angel Africanii
Tomas Mowes - Roy Cohn, Ghost 1, Angel Australia
Muziekgebouw
Eötvös: Angels in America
new opera
Théâtre du Châtelet
Cond: Peter Eötvös
Eötvös: Angels in America
new opera
Théâtre du Châtelet
Cond: Peter Eötvös
Eötvös: Angels in America
new opera
Théâtre du Châtelet
Cond: Peter Eötvös
Eötvös: Angels in America - premiere
new opera
Théâtre du Châtelet
Cond: Peter Eötvös
Eötvös: Angels in America
Conductor: Cornelius Meister
Assistant conductor: Alexander Winterson
Staging: Benedikt von Peter
Scene and costume: Saskia Zschoch
Lisht: Bernd Grube
Coreograph: Kristin Schaw Minges
Cast:
Julia Sukmanova - The Angel
Renate Spingler - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Anna Steiger - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
James Bobby - Prior Walter
Jonas Olofsson - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Christoph Pohl - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Tomas Möwes - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Brian Asawa - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Ingrid Froseth - vocal
Susanne Sommer - vocal
Martin Berner - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
Conductor: Cornelius Meister
Assistant conductor: Alexander Winterson
Staging: Benedikt von Peter
Scene and costume: Saskia Zschoch
Lisht: Bernd Grube
Coreograph: Kristin Schaw Minges
Cast:
Julia Sukmanova - The Angel
Renate Spingler - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Anna Steiger - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
James Bobby - Prior Walter
Jonas Olofsson - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Christoph Pohl - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Tomas Möwes - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Brian Asawa - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Ingrid Froseth - vocal
Susanne Sommer - vocal
Martin Berner - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
Conductor: Cornelius Meister
Assistant conductor: Alexander Winterson
Staging: Benedikt von Peter
Scene and costume: Saskia Zschoch
Lisht: Bernd Grube
Coreograph: Kristin Schaw Minges
Cast:
Julia Sukmanova - The Angel
Renate Spingler - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Anna Steiger - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
James Bobby - Prior Walter
Jonas Olofsson - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Christoph Pohl - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Tomas Möwes - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Brian Asawa - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Ingrid Froseth - vocal
Susanne Sommer - vocal
Martin Berner - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
Conductor: Cornelius Meister
Assistant conductor: Alexander Winterson
Staging: Benedikt von Peter
Scene and costume: Saskia Zschoch
Lisht: Bernd Grube
Coreograph: Kristin Schaw Minges
Cast:
Julia Sukmanova - The Angel
Renate Spingler - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Anna Steiger - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
James Bobby - Prior Walter
Jonas Olofsson - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Christoph Pohl - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Tomas Möwes - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Brian Asawa - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Ingrid Froseth - vocal
Susanne Sommer - vocal
Martin Berner - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
German premiere
Conductor: Cornelius Meister
Assistant conductor: Alexander Winterson
Staging: Benedikt von Peter
Scene and costume: Saskia Zschoch
Lisht: Bernd Grube
Coreograph: Kristin Schaw Minges
Cast:
Julia Sukmanova - The Angel
Renate Spingler - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Anna Steiger - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
James Bobby - Prior Walter
Jonas Olofsson - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Christoph Pohl - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Tomas Möwes - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Brian Asawa - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Ingrid Froseth - vocal
Susanne Sommer - vocal
Martin Berner - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
Conductor: Peter Eötvös
Staging: Philippe Calvario
Scene: Richard Peduzzi
Costume: Jon Morrell
Light: Bertrand Couderc
Coreograph: Sophie Tellier
Sound ingenieur: Mark Grey
Musical assistant: Alejo Perez
Cast:
Barbara Hendricks - The Angel
Julia Migenes - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Roberta Alexander - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
Daniel Belcher - Prior Walter
Topi Lehtipuu - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Omar Ebrahim - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Donald Maxwell - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Derek Lee Ragin - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Claudine Le Coz - vocal
Isabelle Poinloup - vocal
Frédéric Goncalves - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
Conductor: Peter Eötvös
Staging: Philippe Calvario
Scene: Richard Peduzzi
Costume: Jon Morrell
Light: Bertrand Couderc
Coreograph: Sophie Tellier
Sound ingenieur: Mark Grey
Musical assistant: Alejo Perez
Cast:
Barbara Hendricks - The Angel
Julia Migenes - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Roberta Alexander - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
Daniel Belcher - Prior Walter
Topi Lehtipuu - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Omar Ebrahim - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Donald Maxwell - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Derek Lee Ragin - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Claudine Le Coz - vocal
Isabelle Poinloup - vocal
Frédéric Goncalves - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
Conductor: Peter Eötvös
Staging: Philippe Calvario
Scene: Richard Peduzzi
Costume: Jon Morrell
Light: Bertrand Couderc
Coreograph: Sophie Tellier
Sound ingenieur: Mark Grey
Musical assistant: Alejo Perez
Cast:
Barbara Hendricks - The Angel
Julia Migenes - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Roberta Alexander - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
Daniel Belcher - Prior Walter
Topi Lehtipuu - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Omar Ebrahim - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Donald Maxwell - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Derek Lee Ragin - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Claudine Le Coz - vocal
Isabelle Poinloup - vocal
Frédéric Goncalves - vocal
Eötvös: Angels in America
World premiere
Conductor: Peter Eötvös
Staging: Philippe Calvario
Scene: Richard Peduzzi
Costume: Jon Morrell
Light: Bertrand Couderc
Coreograph: Sophie Tellier
Sound ingenieur: Mark Grey
Musical assistant: Alejo Perez
Cast:
Barbara Hendricks - The Angel
Julia Migenes - Harper Pitt, Ethel Rosenberg, The Angel Antarctica
Roberta Alexander - Hannah Pitt, Rabbi Chemelwitz, Henry, The Angel Asiatica
Daniel Belcher - Prior Walter
Topi Lehtipuu - Louis Ironson, The Angel Oceania
Omar Ebrahim - Joe Pitt, Prior 2, The Angel Europa
Donald Maxwell - Roy Cohn, Prior 1, The Angel Australia
Derek Lee Ragin - Belize, Mr Lies, The woman in Bronx, The Angel Africanii
Claudine Le Coz - vocal
Isabelle Poinloup - vocal
Frédéric Goncalves - vocal
Details
Publisher information
Schott Music Mainz
https://en.schott-music.com/shop/angels-in-america-no276087.html
Cast
(8 singers with amplification)
The Angel – soprano
Harper – soprano
Hannah – mezzo soprano
Joe – baritone
Prior – lyrical baritone
Louis – tenor
Belize – counter-tenor
Roy Cohn – bass-baritone
3 vocal singers (sopran, mezzo, baritone with amplification)
Orchestration
The small orchestration of the world premiere is withdrawn, one version is available for orchestra:
2 flutes (also Alto Flute and Piccolo)
3 Clarinets in A (also Clarinet in Eb, Bass Clarinet and Double Bass Clarinet)
1 Saxophone (Soprano, Alto and Baritone Saxophone)
1 Saxophone (Alto, Tenor Saxophone)
1 Trumpet in Bb (also Piccolo Trumpet)
1 Trombone (Tenor, Bass Trombone with Quarter Valve)
Percussion 1: vibraphone, marimba (1 instrument together with Perc. 2.), crotales, cymbals (small, large), chinese cymbal, sizzle cymbal, snare drum, conga, little cabaza, triangle, metal guiro, whisper chimes
Percussion 2: marimba, glockenspiel, gongs, crotales, tubular bells, cymbals (small, medium), chinese cymbal, tam-tams (small, medium, large), bass-drum, 3 metal-tubes, metal-guiro, 2 triangles (second very high), indian bells, 1 tube maraca (chocalho), small tamburino, large tambourine (without jingles), whisper chimes (metal chimes with thin sticks)
Acoustic Guitar with amplification (also bell tree)
Electric Guitar with Chorus and Reverb
Hammond B3 with Leslie (or digital hammond)
Celesta 5 octaves
Strings: 6 violins – 4 violas – 3 violoncellos – 2 double bass
Technical information
The voices of all singers (both in the pit and on the stage) are amplified.
Sound engineer is needed in the hall.
Acoustic guitar needs amplification, both guitars need monitor loudspeakers, too.
A CD containing various sounds and noises is part of the hire material. (Schott Music Mainz)
Further information
Das zweiteilige Theaterstück (Millennium Approaches” und “Perestroika”) von Tony Kushner gehört zu den wichtigsten dramatischen Werken der amerikanischen Literatur des 20. Jahrhunderts. Beide Stücke wurden überall in der Welt gespielt und auch verfilmt.
Das ursprünglich 7-stündige Monumentaldrama wurde von Mari Mezei neu strukturiert, diese Opernversion dauert nun etwa zwei bis zweieinhalb Stunden. Die Uraufführung der Oper fand im November 2004 im Theater Châtelet in Paris statt, das mir auch den Auftrag für dieses Werk gegeben hat.
Der politisch sehr engagierte New Yorker Schriftsteller Kushner beschreibt die amerikanische Neurose des Jahrtausendwechsels wie einen dunklen Alptraum in einer spektakulären theatralischen Halluzination. Viele der Hauptcharaktere waren reale Personen, wie z.B. Ethel Rosenberg, die von einem kriminellen Rechtsanwalt (Roy Cohn) – einem Mitarbeiter von McCarthy – auf den elektrischen Stuhl geschickt wurde. Bei Kushner und auch in der Oper erscheint der Geist Ethel Rosenbergs, um den qualvollen Aids-Tod von Roy Cohn mitzuerleben.
Halluzination und Realität gehen in diesem Stück nahtlos ineinander über. Diese Eigenschaft hat mich am meisten animiert, mit diesem Stoff zu arbeiten. In der Opernversion lege ich weniger Akzente auf die politische Linie als Kushner, vielmehr auf die leidenschaftlichen Beziehungen, auf die hochdramatische Spannung des wunderbaren Textes, auf den permanent schwebenden Zustand der Visionen.
Die Hauptperson der Geschichte, Prior Walter, bekommt den Aids-Virus, er weiß, daß er sterben muss. In seinem Überlebenskampf erfindet er einen Engel, der (in diesem Fall “die”) ihm befiehlt, als Prophet die Welt zu retten. In einer Vision steigt er in den Himmel und lehnt den Auftrag vor den staunenden Engeln mit folgenden Worten ab:
“I’ve lived through such terrible times, and there are people who live through much worse, but… You see them living anyway. When they’re more spirit than body, more sores than skin, when flies lay eggs in the corners of the eyes of their children, they live. If I can find hope anywhere, that´s it, that’s the best I can do. I want more life.”
— dann legt er das Buch der Propheten ab und kehrt auf die Erde zurück.
/Peter Eötvös/
La pièce de Théâtre en deux actes (“Millennium Approaches” et “Perestroika”) de Tony Kushner compte parmi les oeuvres dramatiques les plus notables de la littérature américaine du vingtième siècle. Les deux parties furent jouées dans le monde entier et une adaptation cinématographique a été créée.
Ce drame monumental, dont la durée d´origine était de sept heures, a été restructuré par Mari Mezei. La durée de cette version lyrique est de deux heures á deux heures trente. La première de l´opéra était en novembre 2004 au Théâtre du Châtelet à Paris, qui m´a chargé de ma mission.
Kushner, un écrivain new-yorkais qui s´engage de plus en plus sérieusement en politique décrit la névrose américaine du tournant de siècle comme un sombre cauchemar d´une hallucination théâtrale spectaculaire.
Nombre des protagonistes de la pièce étaient des personnes ayant téellement existé, comme par exemple Ethel Rosenberg, qui fut envoyée par un juge criminel, collaborateur de McCarthy (Roy Cohn) sur la chaise électrique. Dans la version de Kushner, tout comme dans la version lyrique, l´esprit de Ethel Rosenberg réapparaît pour se faire le témoin de la mort Roy Cohn, atteint du SIDA.
Dans la piece, hallucination et réalité se recoupent totalement pour ne faire qu´un. Cette particularité est ce qui m´a poussé a entreprendre mon travail sur ce thème.
Dans la version lyrique, je mets moins l´accent sur l´aspect politique que Kushner, mais j´insiste plutôt sur les rapports passionnels, sur le suspens on ne peut plus dramatique de ce merveilleux texte, et sur l´immuable va-et-vient latent des visions.
Le personnage principal de l´histoire, Prior Walter, est séropositif. Il sait qu´il va mourir. Dans sa lutte acharnée contre la mort, il invente un ange féminin qui lui commande de se faire prophète pour sauver l´humanité. Sa vision le représente lui-mème en ascension vers le ciel et, au plus grand étonnement de l´ange, rejetant la mission qui lui est confiée, par ces mots.
“J´ai vécu des moments si durs, et des gens en vivent de tellement plus terribles encore mais… vous les voyez vivre malgré tout. Quand ils sont devenus des esprits plus que des corps, des souffrances plus que des peaux, lorsque les mouches pondent au coin des yeux de leurs enfants, ils vivent. Si je parviens à trouver de l´espoir partout, voilà, c´est le mieux que je puisse faire. Je veux plus de vie.”
… pose de côté le Livre des Prophètes et s´en retourne sur terre.
/Peter Eötvös/