Animal Farm (opera)

Animal Farm[1] is an English-language opera by Russian composer Alexander Raskatov based on George Orwell's 1944 novella of the same name. The opera contains two acts, nine scenes, and an epilogue, with a libretto written by Ian Burton and musical direction by Bassem Akiki. The project was conceived by Italian director Damiano Michieletto who collaborated with Raskatov on the project which was a co-commission by the Vienna State Opera, Teatro Massimo, and the Dutch National Opera.[2][3]

The opera's premiere took place on 3 March 2023 as part of Dutch National Opera's 2022/2023 season and has been welcomed with great success by the audience.[4]

Cast

Roles and singers
Roles Voice Type Amsterdam Premiere Vienna Premiere[5]
Old Major bass Gennady Bezzubenkov
Napoleon baritone Misha Kiria Wolfgang Bankl
Snowball tenor Michael Gniffke
Squealer tenor James Kryshak Andrei Popov
Boxer baritone Germán Olvera Stefan Astakhov
Benjamin tenor Karl Laquit
Minimus countertenor Artyem Krutko
Clover contralto Helena Rasker Margaret Plummer
Muriel mezzo Maya Gour Isabel Signoret
Blacky soprano Elena Vassilieva
Mollie high soprano Holly Flack
Pigetta (young actress) countertenor Karl Laquit
Mr. Jones tenor Marcel Beekman Daniel Jenz
Mrs. Jones soprano Francis van Broekhuizen Aurora Marthens

References

  1. ↑ "Animal Farm". Dutch National Opera. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  2. ↑ canderson (31 March 2022). "Alexander Raskatov is writing an opera based on George Orwell's Animal Farm, co-commissioned by Vienna State Opera, Dutch National Opera (the world premiere is scheduled for Amsterdam on March 4 next year) & Teatro Massimo di Palermo". Colin's Column. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "Animal Farm". Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Dutch National Opera, Wiener Staatsoper & Teatro Massimo to Collaborate on Animal Farm". OperaWire. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Animal Farm". Vienna State Opera. Retrieved 17 January 2024.