Written on Skin
Award-winning director Katie Mitchell brings a dark and passionate tale from composer George Benjamin and author Martin Crimp to the stage.
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Introduction
A powerful Protector commissions a young artist to create an illuminated book to celebrate his power. The book sparks the rebellion of the Protector’s submissive wife Agnès, setting the scene for an extraordinary act of revenge.
News and features
Written on Skin to be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 on 22 June and by BBC Four on 28 June
Find out more about George Benjamin and Martin Crimp’s masterpiece.
Your reaction: Written on Skin
Audience thoughts from the UK premiere of George Benjamin's dark and passionate opera.
Opera Essentials: Written on Skin
A tale of love, art and death from George Benjamin and Martin Crimp.
Listen: The cast and creative team speak about Written on Skin
George Benjamin, Martin Crimp, Barbara Hannigan and Christopher Purves on the opera.
Watch: Written on Skin trailer
George Benjamin's dark and passionate opera gets its UK premiere on 8 March.
Background
When Written on Skin had its premiere at the 2012 Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, conducted by George Benjamin himself, it received a standing ovation. The opera's arrival at Covent Garden in 2013 is eagerly anticipated, and provides audiences with the opportunity to experience the work of two of Britain's greatest living artists. Benjamin previously collaborated with playwright Martin Crimp on Into the Little Hill, a magical retelling of the Pied Piper fairytale, and for this new work they join forces with acclaimed stage director Katie Mitchell. For all three, the production marks their main-stage debut at the Royal Opera House.
Written on Skin draws on a 12th-century Occitan legend about the troubadour Guillaume de Cabestanh. The story's enduring themes of love, passion and violence are given a very contemporary twist: mysterious 21st-century angels watch over the enfolding drama, while Mitchell's inventive staging combines ancient and modern elements. Benjamin harnesses an array of diverse instruments – including glass harmonica, cowbells and mandolins – in a strikingly beautiful and rich score, complemented by Crimp’s poetic text.
A co-commission and co-production with
the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, Netherlands Opera Amsterdam, Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse and the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Published by Faber Music
TV and Radio
Written on Skin will be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 on 22 June at 6pm. It will broadcast on television by BBC FOUR at 7.30pm on Friday 28th June.
Running time
About 1 hour 40 minutes | No interval
Language
Sung in English
Credits
| Director | Katie Mitchell |
| Composer | George Benjamin |
| Text | Martin Crimp |
| Designs | Vicki Mortimer |
| Lighting design | Jon Clark |
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Related links
- www.youtube.com Watch: Inside Written on Skin rehearsals
- www.guardian.co.uk Written on Skin (Aix-en-Provence) – review
- en.wikipedia.org About Katie Mitchell, director
- www.youtube.com Watch: George Benjamin on composing Written on Skin
- static.roh.org.uk Written on Skin dining options at the Royal Opera House (PDF)
- www.guardian.co.uk George Benjamin (composer): a life in music
