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Royal Opera House - Lessons in Love and Violence

Sir George Benjamin conducts the world premiere of his new opera. Presented by Clemency Burton-Hill.

Sir George Benjamin conducts the world premiere of his darkly dramatic new opera based on the life of Edward II - a major event in contemporary music with an internationally renowned cast, Lessons in Love and Violence is the latest collaboration between composer George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp. Their previous work includes the large-scale opera Written on Skin - which has since become the most performed new opera of the 21st century. Director Katie Mitchell and designer Vicki Mortimer complete the creative team.

King Edward II's relationship with Piers Gaveston upsets the personal life of court and the political wellbeing of the country. When the controlling military leader Mortimer joins forces with Queen Isabel, the results are deadly for Gaveston and Edward.

The lessons learned by the characters of this new opera are harsh ones, following a gripping trajectory from warmth and indulgence towards calculating, cold severity.

Presented by Clemency Burton-Hill.

1 hour, 32 minutes

Last on

Sun 21 Oct 2018 21:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Clemency Burton-Hill
Conductor George Benjamin
King Stephane Degout
Gaveston/Stranger Gyula Orendt
Isabel Barbara Hannigan
Mortimer Peter Hoare
Boy, later young king Samuel Boden
Girl Ocean Barrington-Cook
Witness 1/singer 1/woman 1 Jennifer France
Witness 2/singer 2/woman 2 Krisztina Szabo
Witness 3/madman Andri Bjorn Robertsson
Director Margaret Williams
Executive Producer Tony Followell
Executive Producer Francois Roussillon
Producer Peter Jones
Production Manager Anja Zoll-Khan
Production Manager Kit Withnail
Librettist Martin Crimp
Stage Director Katie Mitchell

Broadcast