Event listing: The Rape of Lucretia (in concert) | Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ: Main Hall | Wed 15 Jun 2011 at 20:15

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Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ: Main HallPiet Heinkade 1, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1019 BR, Netherlands

Dates/times in Amsterdam time zone

Programme

Britten, Benjamin (1913-1976)

Performers

Ian Bostridge	Tenor	Male Chorus
Susan Gritton	Soprano	Female Chorus
Christopher Purves	Bass	Collatinus
Benjamin Russell	Baritone	Junius
Peter Coleman-Wright	Baritone	Tarquinius
Angelika Kirchschlager	Mezzo-soprano	Lucretia
Hilary Summers	Mezzo-soprano	Bianca
Claire Booth	Soprano	Lucia
Oliver Knussen	Conductor

After the huge success of Curlew River last year, the Holland Festival stages Benjamin Britten’s first chamber opera, The Rape of Lucretia, performed in a concert version directed by Oliver Knussen, with world renowned tenor Ian Bostridge. The famous story of Lucretia is set in 509 BC, a pivotal year in the history of Rome, marking the transition from the kingdom to the Republic. Spurred on by her beauty and her unblemished reputation, prince Tarquinius sets out to seduce Lucretia, the wife of general Collatinus. When she refuses, he rapes her. Feeling irretrievably sullied by this foul deed, Lucretia commits suicide. The prince’s crime is exploited by general Junius to topple the monarchy and proclaim the Republic.

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Overwhelming despair in Britten's Rape of Lucretia

Renée Reitsma, 15th June

The Holland Festival boasts quite an impressive relationship with Britten and his works. Tonight’s chamber opera, The Rape of Lucretia was first performed at the festival in 1947 with Britten, Peter Pears and Kathleen Ferrier (for whom the opera was written) and the English Opera Group. Tonight’s performance with Oliver Knussen at the helm is another proud continuation of this tradition.

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