Intro

The Rape of Lucretia

Benjamin Britten

From 07/11/2008 in Antwerp - from 23/11/2008 in Ghent

• Musical direction: Elgar Howarth
• Director: Carlos Wagner
• Male Chorus: Yves Saelens
• Female Chorus: Anja Van Engeland
• Collatinus: Tijl Faveyts
• Junius: Ivan Ludlow

With his chamber opera, The Rape of Lucretia, Benjamin Britten follows the path of the classical tragedy. The intimacy of the work and its focus on an ill-fated climax bring to mind Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas – an opera which also inspired Britten musically. The point of departure for the exchange is men’s gambling with women’s fidelity.

All women in Rome appear to be unfaithful with the exception of Lucretia, wife of Collatinus. Tarquinius, son of the Etruscan king and successor to the throne doubts Lucretia’s fidelity and decides to put her to the test. He abuses his power to gain access to her chamber during Collatinus’ absence where he overpowers and rapes her. Lucretia, in shame, refuses to go on living.

By analogy with the classical tragedy, the choir offers a running commentary as it were on the plot - here divided into a ‘Male Chorus’ and ‘Female Chorus’. The composer hereby offers certain philosophical and ethical reflections on the themes of disgust, the lust for power and male aggression.

Carlos Wagner’s purified and abstract production transforms the characters into archetypes while raising certain questions about Britten’s own Christian interpretation of this ancient theme.

Original production : Operastudio Vlaanderen.

Team

• Musical direction
  Elgar Howarth
• Director
  Carlos Wagner
• Set design
  Conor Murphy
• Costumes
  Conor Murphy
•  
• Male Chorus
  Yves Saelens
• Female Chorus
  Anja Van Engeland
• Collatinus
  Tijl Faveyts
• Junius
  Ivan Ludlow
• Tarquinius
  Thomas Oliemans
• Lucretia
  Sara Fulgoni
• Bianca
  Lien Haegeman
• Lucia
  Liesbeth Devos
• Symfonisch Orkest van de Vlaamse Opera