Lessons in Love and Violence

From the creators OF Written on Skin

From the writers of Written on Skin comes a new dramatic opera, making its world premiere debut in 2018 at the Royal Opera House. Created by composer George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp, Lessons marks the third collaboration between the two eminent British artists, and explores the story of a troubled king who is forced to choose between politics and love. Seemingly damned whatever path he chooses, his decisions have a calamitous effect on his nation, which descends into civil war and on his family, whereby his wife and son turn against him.

This new work is the co-production between six opera companies spanning the world; Dutch National Opera, Hamburg State Opera, Opera de Lyon, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Gran Teatre del Liceu of Barcelona, and Teatro Real of Madrid. The production will be directed by Katie Mitchell. A talented international cast has been gathered for the production, featuring baritone Stephane Degout, soprano Barbara Hannigan, tenor Peter Hoare, baritone Gyula Orendt, tenor Samuel Boden, soprano Jennifer France, bass-baritone Andri Bjorn Robertsson, and mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabo.