Written on Skin - Schedule, Program & Tickets
Written on Skin
Opera in three parts
Libretto by Martin Crimp based on the anonymous 13th-century Occitan text "Guillem de Cabestanh - Le cœur mangé".
Premiered on July 7, 2012 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence
Premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on January 27, 2024
recommended from 16 years
1 hour 30 minutes / no break
In English with German and English surtitles
Introduction: 45 minutes before the start of the performance in the foyer on the right
Three angels look back from the present to the time when every book was a precious object "written on skin". One of the angels travels to this era and slips into the role of a young illustrator who is commissioned by the violent Protector to write a book about his merits. In the Protector's house he meets Agnès, his younger wife, who is jealously guarded by her husband. Agnès begins a love affair with the angel in the form of an artist. The Protector discovers the two, kills the illustrator - and prepares a meal at which he serves his lover's heart to his wife.
Based on a text from medieval sources, author Martin Crimp, composer George Benjamin and director Katie Mitchell created a sensational parable about identity, love and the power of literature and art with WRITTEN ON SKIN 2012. The English and French press celebrated Benjamin's second opera up to that point; it received the International Opera Award in 2013 and the »Opernwelt« Critics' Prize as the world premiere of the 2012/13 season. We are showing the original production for the first time in Berlin.
Subject to change.
Libretto by Martin Crimp based on the anonymous 13th-century Occitan text "Guillem de Cabestanh - Le cœur mangé".
Premiered on July 7, 2012 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence
Premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on January 27, 2024
recommended from 16 years
1 hour 30 minutes / no break
In English with German and English surtitles
Introduction: 45 minutes before the start of the performance in the foyer on the right
Three angels look back from the present to the time when every book was a precious object "written on skin". One of the angels travels to this era and slips into the role of a young illustrator who is commissioned by the violent Protector to write a book about his merits. In the Protector's house he meets Agnès, his younger wife, who is jealously guarded by her husband. Agnès begins a love affair with the angel in the form of an artist. The Protector discovers the two, kills the illustrator - and prepares a meal at which he serves his lover's heart to his wife.
Based on a text from medieval sources, author Martin Crimp, composer George Benjamin and director Katie Mitchell created a sensational parable about identity, love and the power of literature and art with WRITTEN ON SKIN 2012. The English and French press celebrated Benjamin's second opera up to that point; it received the International Opera Award in 2013 and the »Opernwelt« Critics' Prize as the world premiere of the 2012/13 season. We are showing the original production for the first time in Berlin.
Subject to change.