Samuel Boden

Opera based on the story of Edward II and Piers Gaveston. Music by George Benjamin, libretto by Martin Crimp. BBC broadcast of the 2018 premiere at the Royal Opera House, the composer conducting, prefaced by commentary and interviews.

When Eurydice dies on their wedding day, Orpheus, unable to accept her death, descends into the underworld to retrieve her. But as they ascend to the realm of the living, will he be able to refrain from looking back at her, lest he lose her forever? Director Monique Wagemakers, together with choreographer Nanine Linning and artist Lonneke Gordijn (Studio DRIFT), developed the concept for this opera as a contemporary Gesamtkunstwerk that fully integrates stage direction, choreography and design. The costumes of fashion designer Marlou Breuls accentuate and enhance the effect of homogeneity.

Idoménée is a ‘tragédie lyrique’ composed by André Campra (1660–1744) on a libretto by Antoine Danchet. This 2021 staging for Opéra de Lille was directed by Álex Ollé (La Fura dels Baus).