Poul Ruders' opera, "The Thirteenth Child," is based on "The Twelve Brothers," a lesser-known fairytale by the Brothers Grimm.
Recording & Production
The recording of "The Thirteenth Child" was made in three different locations: Carl Nielsen Hall in Odense, Denmark; The American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York City; and New Rochelle Studios in New Rochelle, NY.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Composer Poul Ruders aimed to write a 'fantasy opera' in the fairytale genre, avoiding repetition of his previous operas which included a period drama, a dystopian story, a black farce, and a tragedy.
Composition History
The Santa Fe Opera and the Odense Symfoniorkester (OS) became co-commissioners of "The Thirteenth Child" after a delegation from Santa Fe Opera met with the OS in January 2018.
Composer Biography
Poul Ruders, the composer, lives a spartan life in the Danish countryside, which has allowed him to produce a vast catalog of works including five operas, 45 symphonic works, and numerous chamber and solo pieces.
Compositional Technique
The librettists, Becky and David Starobin, intentionally used compressed language and short, intensified images to encourage cinematic pacing and a stylistic range from grand symphonic modernism to lyrical diatonic arias in the score.
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