New Year is an opera in three acts by composer Michael Tippett, who wrote his own libretto. It was first performed by Houston Grand Opera on 27 October 1989, in a production by Peter Hall.[1]
| New Year | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Michael Tippett | |
| Librettist | Tippett |
| Language | English |
| Premiere | 27 October 1989 |
Tippett has noted that the "primary metaphor" of the opera is dance.[2] The choreographer of the original production was the noted American dancer Bill T. Jones.
Performance history
editThe first UK production was at Glyndebourne, and subsequently Glyndebourne Touring Opera presented an adapted version of Peter Hall's production.[3][4] As with Tippett's other operas, the text and music encompass a widely eclectic range of cultural references.[2][5]
As of 3 July 2024 Birmingham Opera Company plans to mount a full-scale production directed by Keith Warner with Alpesh Chauhan conducting the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The cast is intended to include Francesca Chiejina as Jo Ann; Sakiwe Mkosana as Donny; Sarah Pring as Nan; Lucia Lucas as Merlin; Joshua Stewart as Pelegrin; Samantha Crawford (soprano) as Regan. Simone Sandroni is the choreographer, Nicky Shaw is the stage designer, Mariana Rosas rehearsed the choir.[6] The immersive staging is expected to take place in a vast circus-style tent, branded The Dream Tent, erected on the site of the former Smithfield Wholesale Markets in Central Birmingham. The design will see the action raised on multiple platforms with a vast white cube at one end of the space, a house at the other and a central circular podium between the two. The audience is expected to stand and move around the space with the action. Members of the Birmingham Opera Company Chorus and actors will regularly descend from their platforms to interact with the audience in typical Birmingham Opera Company style.[citation needed]
Roles
edit| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 27 October 1989 Conductor: John DeMain |
|---|---|---|
| Jo Ann, a trainee children's doctor | lyric soprano | Helen Field |
| Donny, her young brother | light baritone | Krister St. Hill |
| Nan, their foster mother | dramatic mezzo-soprano | Jane Shaulis |
| Merlin, the computer wizard | dramatic baritone | James Maddalena |
| Pelegrin, the space pilot | lyric tenor | Peter Kazaras |
| Regan, their boss | dramatic soprano | Richetta Manager |
| The presenter | microphoned male singer | John Schiappa |
Synopsis
editThe story of the opera moves between two worlds, of "Somewhere and Today" and "Nowhere and Tomorrow".
Act 1
editJo Ann is a child psychologist who wants to work with young victims of the urban conflict going on in "Terror Town" outside of her domicile. However, she is so afraid of Terror Town that she does not venture out of the apartment. Her Rastafarian foster brother Donny is generally delinquent in his behaviour towards her and their mutual foster mother, Nan. Out of nowhere, a spaceship emerges, carrying Merlin, a "computer wizard", and the pilot Pelegrin, under the leadership of Regan. These are time travelers from the future, and the ship makes a connection with Jo Ann's apartment.
Act 2
editIt is centered at a New Year's festivity. A shaman, in a trance, induces the crowd of revellers to pummel Donny as part of the celebration. The space ship arrives and Merlin asserts his authority over the activities. Jo Ann and Pelegrin do meet, but they are separated when the spaceship leaves the scene. Jo Ann saves Donny from the beating crowd, and the act ends to the sounds of the traditional song "Auld Lang Syne".
Act 3
editPelegrin presents Jo Ann with a symbolic rose, as a symbol of their love. She loses the rose, but he recovers it. Jo Ann is finally cured of her fears and can go out again into the world outside of her home. The Presenter summarizes the final message as: "One humanity, one justice".
References
edit- ^ "Time Traveling and Agoraphobia in Tippett Opera" by Donal Henahan, The New York Times, 30 October 1989
- ^ a b Lewis, Geraint New Year in the New World (November 1989). The Musical Times, 130 (1761): pp. 665–669.
- ^ Lewis, Geraint, "New Year Is Here" (July 1990). The Musical Times, 131 (1769): pp. 355–357.
- ^ David Allenby, "First Performances: Tippett's New Year. Tempo (New Ser.), 175, 35–36 (1990).
- ^ David Clarke, Review of piano score of "New Year: An Opera in Three Acts". Music & Letters, 71(3), 468–472 (1990).
- ^ "New Year performance details, 7 July 2024". Schott Music. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
External links
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