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Benjamin / Crimp

Written on Skin

New Production & Philadelphia Premiere
Music by George Benjamin
Text by Martin Crimp
Performed in English with English supertitles
Opera at the Academy

A "must-see" hot ticket.—Opera News

"The work of a genius unleashed."—The New Yorker

"Anthony Roth Costanzo exists to transform opera."—The New York Times

Having confirmed its status as “one of the most progressive forces on the opera scene” (Opera News) with O17, the first edition of its new annual season-opening festival, Opera Philadelphia returns to the Academy of Music with the Philadelphia premiere of George Benjamin's modern classic hailed as “the century's most successful new opera" (Financial Times), and “truly a 21st-century masterpiece” (The Times of London). Starring Lauren Snouffer, Mark Stone, and Anthony Roth Costanzo, Written on Skin is a “brutal and ravishing score” that will “eat your heart out” (NPR).

Check out "5 Revealing Quotes About Written on Skin" >>

Full Synopsis

MapAcademy of Music

Dates are Feb. 2018.

Fri, Feb 9	8:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb 11	2:30 p.m.
Fri, Feb 16	8:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb 18	2:30 p.m.

Approximately one hour and 35 minutes with no intermission

Production underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone and by the Wyncote Foundation at the recommendation of Daniel K. Meyer, M.D.

Gallery

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The Boy (countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) shows his illuminated manuscripts to the Protector (baritone Mark Stone). Agnès (soprano Lauren Snouffer) visits the workshop of the Boy (countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) to learn “how a book is made.” Agnès (soprano Lauren Snouffer) visits the workshop of the Boy (countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) and asks him to make a picture of a real woman, like her The Protector (baritone Mark Stone) is “addicted to purity and violence.” Marie (mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó) arrives to visit her sister Agnès. Soprano Lauren Snouffer stars as Agnès. The Boy (countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) shows Agnès (soprano Lauren Snouffer) the portrait he has made of her. “Love’s not a picture; love is an act,” sings Agnès (soprano Lauren Snouffer) to the Boy (countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) as she offers herself to him. The Protector (baritone Mark Stone) approaches the Boy (countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) in the woods to ask about Agnès. The Protector (baritone Mark Stone) screams for Agnès (soprano Lauren Snouffer) to "keep away from me."

Cast & Creative Team

Anthony Roth Costanzoas First Angel & Boy

Tom Rogers Set & Costume Design
Howard Hudson * Lighting Design
Amanda Consol Assistant Director
Lisa Anderson * Production Stage Manager
Jen Shaw Assistant Stage Manager
Gregory Boyle Assistant Stage Manager
*Opera Philadelphia debut

The Composer

George Benjamin

Born in 1960, George Benjamin began composing at the age of seven. From 1973 he had lessons with Peter Gellhorn, then in 1976 he entered the Paris Conservatoire to study with Messiaen, after which he worked with Alexander Goehr at King’s College Cambridge. Ringed by the Flat Horizon was played at the BBC Proms by the BBC SO under Mark Elder when Benjamin was just 20. Learn more about George Benjamin.