Difference between revisions of "Amarantha"
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| − | ''[[Amarantha]]'' is an opera in seven scenes by composer [[Thomas Rajna]] (1928-2021) with a libretto by the composer based on a short story by D | + | ''[[Amarantha]]'' is an opera in seven scenes by composer [[Thomas Rajna]] (1928-2021) with a libretto by the composer based on a short story (''How beautiful with shoes'') by American author, W.D. Steele. |
==The original text== | ==The original text== | ||
| − | The opera tells a curious story of repressed desire and longing set in the Deep South of the Depression era. | + | The opera tells a curious story of repressed desire and longing set in the Deep South of the Depression era. It is set in Thirties Carolina, where Humble Jewett, a Peter Grimes-like figure, abducts the simple country girl Amarantha. |
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| − | 2000: Premiered in November 2000 by [[Cape Town Opera]] in conjunction with the [[University of Cape Town Opera School]] at the [[Nico Opera House]] (25–30 November), with [[Brad Liebl]] and [[Veramarie Meyer]], the [[Cape Town Opera Orchestra]], conducted by [[Christopher Dowdeswell]], and set design by [[Michael Mitchell]]. | + | 2000: Premiered in November 2000 by [[Cape Town Opera]] in conjunction with the [[University of Cape Town Opera School]] at the [[Nico Opera House]] (25–30 November), with [[Brad Liebl]] and [[Veramarie Meyer]], the [[Cape Town Opera Orchestra]], directed by [[Angelo Gobbato]], conducted by [[Christopher Dowdeswell]], and set design by [[Michael Mitchell]], lighting by [[Kobus Rossouw]]. With [[Veramarie Meyer]], [[Heste-Marie White]], [[Brad Liebl]], [[Derrick Ellis]], [[Charles de Flamingh]], [[Jaco Ferreira]], [[James Skinner]], [[Thomas Pludermann]]. |
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
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[[Wayne Muller]]. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis. | [[Wayne Muller]]. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis. | ||
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| + | [[Ivan Meredith]]. 2006. 'Opera in South Africa during the first democratic decade'. Unpublished Masters thesis. [[University of Cape Town]]. | ||
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== Return to == | == Return to == | ||
Latest revision as of 13:45, 1 March 2025
Amarantha is an opera in seven scenes by composer Thomas Rajna (1928-2021) with a libretto by the composer based on a short story (How beautiful with shoes) by American author, W.D. Steele.
Contents
The original text
The opera tells a curious story of repressed desire and longing set in the Deep South of the Depression era. It is set in Thirties Carolina, where Humble Jewett, a Peter Grimes-like figure, abducts the simple country girl Amarantha.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
2000: Premiered in November 2000 by Cape Town Opera in conjunction with the University of Cape Town Opera School at the Nico Opera House (25–30 November), with Brad Liebl and Veramarie Meyer, the Cape Town Opera Orchestra, directed by Angelo Gobbato, conducted by Christopher Dowdeswell, and set design by Michael Mitchell, lighting by Kobus Rossouw. With Veramarie Meyer, Heste-Marie White, Brad Liebl, Derrick Ellis, Charles de Flamingh, Jaco Ferreira, James Skinner, Thomas Pludermann.
Sources
'A crazy obsession'. Mail and Guardian. 1 December 2000.
'Thomas Rajna, excitable pianist and composer who excelled in works by fellow Hungarians – obituary'. The Telegraph. 26 July 2021.
Wayne Muller. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis.
Ivan Meredith. 2006. 'Opera in South Africa during the first democratic decade'. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Cape Town.
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