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Closed November 19, 2016
Music, theatre and visual art... at the highest calibre
The Guardian
Alban Berg's experimental opera is unique in that it premiered incomplete in 1935, and was only completed in 1979. Focusing on a beautiful seductress named Lulu, this exploration of sexual desire sees a modern staging by William Kentridge for ENO as part of their 2016/17 season. Mark Wigglesworth conducts Brenda Rae as the lead in her company debut.
Set in fin-de-siecle Vienna, we see the titular Lula, a bored housewife married to a doctor - however she goes by the name Nelly. During a portrait painting session with artist Walter Schwarz Lulu realises that he is romantically interested in her, and acquiesces to his advances. Unfortunately, her husband walks in on the pair, and he dies of shock as a result. Free to marry once again, Lulu marries Walther, with financial help from a certain Dr Schon, with whom she shares a secret past. It transpires that Schon had plucked her from poverty and raised her, but has engaged with sexual relations with the young woman.
Spitefully, Schon discloses this disturbing news with Walther, who commits suicide, whereupon she takes up with the doctor and forces him to break off his own engagement so that they can marry. However, Schon is aware of Lulu's promiscuity and her many admirers; when eavesdropping on Lulu and her lesbian lover Countess Geschwitz, he learns that the femme fatale had murdered his first wife whilst Lulu was living with them. Disgusted, he hands her a gun and demands she kills herself; instead, she shoots him dead.
After escaping prison thanks to help from the Countess, she and the doctor's son elope to Paris, and then financially destitute, to London. Now working as a prostitute, Lulu once again finds herself the target of many affections; ironically, she unwittingly brings home a certain notorious figure who roams east London, murdering prostitutes...and her cycle of sex and murder comes to an end.
Opening night: 9 November 2016
Suitable for ages 13+ due to mature themes
Three hours and 45 mins, including two intervals
Sung in English, with surtitles projected above the stage
You may be required to wear a mask during this performance. Please contact the venue directly for more information.
Sarah Connolly as Countess Geschwitz
Michael Colvin as Painter/Second Client
James Morris as Dr Schon/Jack the Ripper
Nicky Spence as Alwa
Willard White as Schigolch
David Soar as Animal Tamer/Athlete
Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts as Prince/Manservant/Marquis
Clare Presland as Schoolboy/Dresser/Waiter
Graeme Danby as Theatre Manager/Banker
Sarah Labiner as Fifteen-year-old Girl
Rebecca de Pont Davies as Girl’s Mother
Sarah Champion as Female Artist
Geoffrey Dolton as Journalist
Conducted by Mark Wigglesworth
Directed by William Kentridge
Co-direction by Luc De Wit
Set design by Sabine Theunissen
Costume Design by Greta Goiris
Lighting by Urs Schonebaum
Video Design by Catherine Meyburgh
Video Operation by Kim Gunning
Translated by Richard Stokes
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