Sky in a Small Cage
| Sky in a Small Cage | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Rolf Hind | |
| Librettist | Dante Micheaux |
| Language | English |
| Based on | The life and work of Rumi |
| Premiere | August 25, 2024 Radiohuset, Royal Danish Academy of Music |
'Sky in a Small Cage' is an English-language opera with music by British composer Rolf Hind and libretto by American poet Dante Micheaux. The opera was commissioned by the English opera company Mahogany Opera. The libretto also heavily features translations of the poetry of Rumi, who is a central character.
Background, story and performance history
[edit]The opera features the relationship between the 13th-century poet Rumi, and the Sufi dervish Shams Tabrizi. The main narrative action ends with the death of Shams Tabrizi, which took place historically in 1248. The opera heavily features poetry from the librettist Dante Micheaux, as well as Rumi's work in English translation. There is frequent use of spoken word rather than singing, mainly from the Narrator, Elaine Mitchener. Though parts of the opera are more conventional, it contains elements of many creative forms, and in the Financial Times' review of the premiere, Andrew Mellor states that the opera "resembles a classical oratorio in combining elements of character narrative with theology, prayer and a contextualising chorus."[1]
The opera premiered during the 2024 Copenhagen Opera Festival, at The Royal Danish Academy of Music. A single performance was given on 25 August 2024.[2] The same production then transferred to the Barbican Centre in London for the UK premiere on 8 September 2024. Both performances featured the Riot Ensemble and six ensemble singers.[3]
Roles
[edit]| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, August 25, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Narrator | spoken word | Elaine Mitchener |
| I and you (becoming Rumi) | counter-tenor | James Hall |
| Bird of the Sun –(Shams Tabrizi) | baritone | Yannis François |
| Shaman of the Birds and Kerra, Rumi's wife | mezzo-soprano | Loré Lixenberg |
Reception
[edit]Sky in a Small Cage received mixed reviews, with critics pointing to a disjointed performance. The Times' Rebecca Franks said the opera "had its moments" but was undermined by "tedious stretches".[4] In the The Telegraph, Nicholas Kenyon branded the opera "a curate's egg".[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Mellor, Andrew (27 August 2024). "Sky in a Small Cage, Copenhagen review — Rumi's life and poetry become florid oratorio". Financial Times. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Copenhagen Opera Festival". www.operafestival.dk. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Rolf Hind: Sky in a Small Cage The extraordinary life of Rumi". www.barbican.org.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ Franks, Rebecca (9 September 2024). "Sky in a Small Cage review — this Rumi-inspired opera stretched my patience". The Times. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ Kenyon, Nicholas (9 September 2024). "Sky in a Small Cage". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
