Mark-Anthony Turnage's Greek at Scottish Opera
Feb. 08, 2018
Following a 5-star run as part of the 2017 Edinburgh International Festival, Joe Hill-Gibbin's production of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s provocative opera, Greek, comes to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow from February 2-3. A Scottish Opera and Opera Ventures co-production, the all-star cast includes Alex Otterburn, Susan Bullock, Allison Cook, and Henry Waddington.
Turnage’s opera, based on the stage play by Steven Berkoff, transports the mythological tale to London’s East End of the 1980’s. The score deftly enhances the vitality and turbulence of the text with its infusion of jazz and rock. Originally commissioned for the 1988 Munich Biennale, Greek put Turnage on the map, with the many productions that followed quickly establishing his international reputation.
("Love Aria" from Act II of Mark-Anthony Turnage's Greek/The Greek Ensemble/Richard Bernas)
Greek (1986-1988)
opera in two acts
based on Steven Berkoff's stage play of the same title
libretto adapted by Mark-Anthony Turnage and Jonathan Moore
for soprano, mezzo-soprano, two baritones, 4 actors and speaking roles
fl(afl, pic, bodhran, large metal bar).2ob(1.ca, brake d, bodhran, 2.ca, brake d).2Bcl(1.Ebcl, bcl, med tom-t, 2.bcl).ssax(asax, barsax, vibraslap, ratchet)2hn(both lg tom-t, metal bar).Ctpt(large metal dustbin lid).tbn(very large metal sheet)-1 or 2perc-hp(low log drum and bodhran).pno(epno, police whistle, clav)-va(large ratchet).3vc(1.clav, 2.ratchet).db(police whistle)
90’