The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (opera)
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant is an opera in five acts composed by Gerald Barry to a libretto in English by Denis Calandra closely based on Rainer Werner Fassbinder's screenplay for the film of the same name. Co-commissioned by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and English National Opera, it premiered in concert version in Dublin on 27 May 2005, before premiering in its fully staged version at the English National Opera in London on 16 September 2005. The opera's German-language premiere took place at Basel Opera on 4 May 2008.[1]
The opera, which recounts a destructive lesbian affair, has an all-female cast. The title role in its ENO premiere was sung by Stephanie Friede. Susan Bickley sang the role of her friend Sidonie von Grasenabb.[2] The production was conducted by André de Ridder and directed by Richard Jones.[3][4][5]
Aus Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant
[edit]On 2 June 2022 the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra premiered Aus Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant, a concerto for double-bass by Barry, based on his music for the opera, commissioned by the orchestra for the leader of its double-bass section, Matthew McDonald. The music of the concerto is a representation of a scene in Fassbinder's film, in which Petra falls in love with Karin and invites her to live with her.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Oxford University Press. "Gerald Barry, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant". Retrieved via Boosey & Hawkes 10 May 2019.
- ^ "Susan Bickley MEZZO-SOPRANO". Royal Opera House. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Higgins, Charlotte (9 September 2005). "It's like being attacked by knives". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ Picard, Anna (25 September 2005). "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, English National Opera, London". The Independent. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ Christiansen, Rupert (19 September 2005). "A masterpiece treated with contempt". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ "Of burnt kettles and intoxicating bass concerts: Solo bassist Matthew McDonald in conversation". Berliner Philharmoniker. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
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