The voice of Odin in the opera was treated with specific sound design, including pulling audio out of sync and emphasizing harmonics, to create a larger-than-life character.
Compositional Technique
The opera uses a recurring pedal note, A-natural, for the Wandering Jew, which survives tonal shifts and returns at important dramatic moments, eventually resolving at the opera's close.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Composer Robert Saxton's opera, "The Wandering Jew," explores the archetypal and mythical aspects of the legend, drawing inspiration from works like "The Epic of Gilgamesh."
Composition History
Robert Saxton's opera was commissioned by the BBC, which provided the opportunity to create multiple dramatic levels suitable for radio.
Recording & Production
The recording of "The Wandering Jew" utilized electro-acoustic techniques for elements like the Angels of Conscience and Odin's voice, designed for the imaginative freedom of radio.
Compositional Technique
The music of "The Wandering Jew" is based on a 7-note expanding and contracting set, symbolizing wandering and return, and creating structural unity.
Composer Biography
Robert Saxton, the composer, received early guidance from Benjamin Britten and Elisabeth Lutyens and studied with Luciano Berio.
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