| Holst, Gustav (1874-1934) | Sāvitri (One-act opera with orchestra : open air performance per Government COVID guidelines: dates presently provisional) |
| HGO | ||
| Thomas Payne | Conductor | |
| Julia Mintzer | Director | |
| Laura Calcagno | Dancer | |
| Charlotte Osborne | Soprano | Chorus |
| Alice Usher | Soprano | Chorus |
| Verity Bramson | Soprano | Chorus |
| Alicia Mallace-Goulbourne | Soprano | Chorus |
| Charlotte Diamond | Soprano | Chorus |
| Natalie Davies | Mezzo-soprano | Chorus |
| Meriel Cunningham | Mezzo-soprano | Chorus |
| Deborah Holborn | Mezzo-soprano | Chorus |
| Alexander Aldren | Tenor | Satyavān |
| Jack Roberts | Tenor | Satyavān |
| Esme Bronwen-Smith | Soprano | Sāvitri |
| Joanna Harries | Soprano | Sāvitri |
| Lizzie Holmes | Soprano | Sāvitri |
| Dan D'Souza | Bass | Death |
| Theo Perry | Bass | Death |
“The forest is to me a mirror wherein I see another world, a world where all is nameless, unknown, all sick with fear…..”
HGO is proud to announce its plans for an open-air, socially-distanced production of Gustav Holst's Sāvitri, a tale of life, death, illusion and hope powerfully resonant with our times. HGO is dedicated to supporting singers at the start of their careers - they will lead the return of vibrant opera to London.
There will be two performances nightly of this half-hour opera in the gardens of Lauderdale House, at 18.30 and 20.00 on 13, 15, 20 and 22 August.
Sāvitri is told by Death that her husband Satyavān is about to die. When he returns from his day's work in the forest he collapses.
Death now offers Sāvitri a wish, and she asks for 'Life'. Death agrees, but Sāvitri then points out that life for her is indivisible from her husband's life.
Death has been tricked and admits defeat. Satyavān revives: even death, like life, is ‘Māyā’ – illusion.