• 25
  • 28
  • 30
    Jan. 2020
  • 02
    Feb. 2020

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A must-see cutting-edge work, combining classical, medieval and modern elements, led by renowned conductor Nicole Paiement!

January 25. 28*. 30 at 7:30 pm
February 2 at 2 pm

*Tuesday 18-34 Years Old event

Preview

Hall
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Seating chart
Venue
Place des Arts
Language: 
English (Subtitles : French & english)
Duration: 
1h35
Intermission: 
0

Summary

“(…) The best opera written over the last twenty years.” – Le Monde

“We could not suppress the vague impression of having attended the birth of a masterpiece.” – Le Figaro

“One of the defining works of the 21st centuty.” – The Guardian

Written on Skin, a leading 21st century work, widely acclaimed in the world’s greatest opera houses, comes to the Opéra de Montréal stage on January 25 in an all-new production, the work’s Canadian premiere. The opera’s composer, George Benjamin, who studied with the great Olivier Messiaen, has been called “one of the most formidable composers of his generation” by The New York Times. A unique musical event—buy your tickets now!

PREOPERA TALK
Some keys to better appreciate the performance, one hour before curtain time, given by musicologist Pierre Vachon. At the Piano Nobile of Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at the Place des Arts.

18-34 YEARS OLD EVENT
On Tuesday evening, an exclusive networking event at 18-34 before the performance.

READ THE EVENING PROGRAM

Multimedia
Videos

Written on Skin - Philippe Dubuc

Designer Philippe Dubuc explains the artistic process behind the creation of Written on Skin costumes. 
Videos

Written on Skin - New production. Canadian Premiere
Videos

PreOpera in brief | The Importance of Written on Skin (2/6)

Musicologist Pierre Vachon sums up in 2 minutes the importance of presenting such a work in Montreal.
Videos

PréOpéra in brief | Written on Skin synopsis (1/6)
Videos

PreOpera in brief | Agnes, a key female character (3/6)

Musicologist Pierre Vachon sums up the theme of women's emancipation in 2 minutes through the character of Agnes.
Videos

The composer George Benjamin about Written on Skin

Internationally renowned British composer George Benjamin tells the story of the composition of Written on Skin and how the work was prepared for the stage.​
Videos

PréOpéra in brief | Written on Skin's music (4/6)

Musicologist Pierre Vachon sums up the peculiarities of Written on Skin's music in 2 minutes.
 
Videos

PreOpera in brief | Written on Skin, a work that marks (5/6)

The musicologist Pierre Vachon sums up in 2 minutes the reasons why this work marks the audience.
 
Videos

PreOpera in brief | How Written on Skin Redefines Opera Codes (6/6)

Musicologist Pierre Vachon sums up in 2 minutes the reasons why this work redefines the codes of opera.
 

Synopsis

  • Acte I

    A rich landowner invites an artist to his home, asking him to create a book of illuminations. The work’s images are to immortalize his merciless political power and the quiet enjoyment he derives from domestic order, as embodied by the humility and childish obedience of his wife Agnes. But the creation of the book becomes a catalyst for the wife’s rebellion. After a successful first attempt at seduction, she exploits her new-found intimacy with the illuminator in order to influence the very contents of the book, forcing her husband to see her as she really is—and thereby opening the door to an ultimate and extraordinary act of provocation.

In the media

It’s a real coup for the OdM to be able to present this first Canadian production of an opera composed in the last decade that we believe will still be performed in the world’s great opera houses 100 years from now, says OdM general director Patrick Corrigan.

- Arthur Kaptainis

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