Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Oedipus Complex With Operatic Treatment Gets Revival

Sphinx Costume ENO
production of Greek 1990
"Buxton Festival is to host two performances of Music Theatre Wales’ latest production Greek, a vivid, angry re-working of the Oedipus myth by firebrand composer Mark-Anthony Turnage. It can be seen at Buxton Opera House on July 14 and 25. Mark-Anthony Turnage’s brilliant and provocative opera exploded onto the stage in 1988 and conferred instant celebrity on its composer – then still in his 20s. Greek has since become a contemporary classic – and Turnage has continued to hit the headlines – notably with his recent sensational Royal Opera House hit Anna Nicole. The gifted young baritone Marcus Farnsworth, who was educated at Chetham’s School and Manchester University, sings the role of Eddy, the opera’s foul-mouthed, restless protagonist. Mr. Farnsworth, who won the prestigious Wigmore Hall International Song Competition in 2009, will also give a recital on July 21 at the Buxton Festival. Greek is based on the play by Steven Berkoff and the opera was widely seen at the time of its premiere as a parable of the Thatcher years." [Source]