Sir George Benjamin's second full-length opera, with text by Martin Crimp, garnered great acclaim at its premiere in 2018. Loosely based on Christopher Marlowe's Edward II, the opera tells the story of the King and his lover Gaveston, as well as the power-hungry Mortimer and Queen Isabella. The recording from Amsterdam, conducted by Benjamin, features a cast including Stéphane Degout, Barbara Hannigan and Gyula Orendt.
Featuring
Peter Hoare
Stéphane Degout
Gyula Orendt
Barbara Hannigan
George Benjamin
Samuel Boden
Krisztina Szabó
Jennifer France
Andri Björn Róbertsson
Radio Filharmonisch Orkest
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Composition History
Lessons in Love and Violence is the third opera by British composer George Benjamin and British writer Martin Crimp, following Into the Little Hill (2006) and Written on Skin (2012).
Composition History
Lessons in Love and Violence was co-commissioned and co-produced by seven major opera houses, including the Royal Opera Covent Garden London and Dutch National Opera Amsterdam.
Composer's Artistic Vision
George Benjamin's music, particularly in this opera, is characterized by an "emotional inclemency" and builds up its sound world from a nightmarish pianissimo.
Composer's Artistic Vision
George Benjamin aims for "maximum transparency" in his music, which is why he often omits a chorus, as he finds it difficult to maintain intelligibility and purity of sound.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Composer George Benjamin insists that his collaborator, writer Martin Crimp, be mentioned just as prominently as he is, stating he would not have written the operas without Crimp.
Interpretation
The melodies in Lessons in Love and Violence were completely tailored by composer George Benjamin to the specific vocal ranges of the performers on this recording.
Composition History
The first performance of Lessons in Love and Violence was given by The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, conducted by the composer George Benjamin, on May 10, 2018.
