Opera Melancholica
A portrait of melancholiac pur sang Roderick Usher and his twin sister Madeline, rendered by both a soprano and a female dancer. Opera Melancholica shows all corners of the human mind.
OPERA2DAY and the New European Ensemble welcome you at the anatomical theatre of the human mind. We will be trepanning skulls. Through cinematic minimal music by composer Philip Glass and a story by the 'Master of the Macabre' Edgar Allan Poe you will be presented with fantastic visions and horrifying delusions live at the theatre. They will be boosted by a choreography by Scapino Ballet Rotterdam.
The production focuses on the Dutch première of Glass's compelling opera in two acts 'The Fall of the House of Usher', with a libretto by Arthur Yorinks based on Poe's story. The piece portrays the melancholiac pur sang Roderick Usher and his twin sister Madeline, who in this production is rendered by both a soprano and a female dancer. We will immerse you in Usher's melancholia and show you all corners of the human mind: Opera Melancholica.
Melancholia is a human trait. We are able to look at our life and to realise that we are mortal. We harbour lucid dreams of a better world and life after death. Overwhelming views, but we pay a price for those ideals: the fear and wistfulness when we have returned to harsh reality. That is, if we can find our way back....
Credits
Stage director
Serge van Veggel
Musical director
Carlo Boccadoro
Music
The Fall of the House of Usher - opera in two acts van Philip Glass, performed live by New European Ensemble
Choreographer
Ed Wubbe
Dancer
Ellen Landa
OPERA2DAY adds another success story to a now impressive list with this production
Place de l'Opera
Listen to the Opera Melancholica playlist
From Monteverdi to the Beatles, from Mahler to Hazes
Opera Melancholica focuses on melancholy. An almost elusive sentiment, which is perhaps best captured in music. For example, the music by Philip Glass used in the performance. But also the music that best captures melancholy for visitors to Opera Melancholica.
We are also curious about your choice of the ultimate melancholic music? What do you like - or dislike - to listen to in order to evoke this feeling, revel in it or still it? You can also add your own song to the Opera Melancholica Spotify Playlist.
OPERA2DAY
OPERA2DAY conquered the country last season with Vivaldi - Dangerous liaisons. In Opera Melancholica, the young opera company from The Hague once again collaborates with the New European Ensemble. The previous co-production Hamlet received five stars from the Theaterkrant and was nominated by the VSCD as "most impressive stage performance of the year" and by Place de l'Opéra as "Opera of the Year. In Dolhuys Kermis (2013), a psychiatric institution was brought to life on location. According to NRC, one of the five best performances of that year.