Press Release
Toledo Opera presents The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin
Britten on March 13 and 14 at The Valentine Theatre. Based
on events described in both Ovid's Fasti and Livy's History
of Rome, the opera, with Ancient Rome as its setting,
is a tale of innocence defiled.
In 509
BC there was a war between Rome and Greece. The men of
the Roman army have discovered that during their absence
their wives have faithlessly betrayed them – all but
one, that is: Lucretia, who has remained faithful to her
husband Collatinus. Sextus
Tarquinius, described in the operas as “the
Etruscan upstart” Prince of Rome, is infuriated that
the wife of one of his generals is shown to be more virtuous
than other generals’ wives and plots to test her fidelity.
He rides from the soldiers’ camp back to Rome and,
after claiming hospitality from Lucretia, ravishes her in
her bedroom, taking not only her chastity, but bringing about
her complete ruin. Lucretia stabs herself rather than face
the shame of having been raped. This actual event incited
a full-scale revolt against the Tarquins led by Lucius
Junius Brutus, the banishment of the royal family, and
the founding of the Roman
Republic in 510 BC.
Britten, a pacifist, returned to Great Britain from self-imposed
exile in the United States at the peak of World War II. When
exposed to the devastation perpetuated on London and the
British countryside by the war, he began to create two of
his greatest and most challenging pieces: his War Requiem and The
Rape of Lucretia. The opera provided a moral and religious
perspective on dehumanizing violence. It was particularly
welcome in post-war England and is extremely relevant today.
Britten’s music is complex but easily accessible and
this opera, one of his most dramatic and inspired creations,
conveys with intense passion the struggle between evil and
redemption.
Starring in the role of Lucretia is mezzo-soprano
Elizabeth Batton, grand prize winner of The Metropolitan
Opera National Council Auditions. She is on the roster of
The Metropolitan Opera, and has performed with Los Angeles Opera,
New York City Opera, the Wexford Festival in Ireland, Boston
Lyric Opera, Washington National Opera and Dallas Opera.
In the pivotal role of Tarquinius is baritone Philip Cutlip,
who has garnered consistent critical acclaim for his performances
in North America and Europe. Bass-baritone Matthew
Burns will portray the husband of Lucretia, Collatinus. He
recently joined The Metropolitan Opera and has sung at New
York City Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and Boston Lyric
Opera, among many others. Other performers in the cast are
Kiera Duffy as Lucia, Maria Zifchak as Bianca, and Lee Gregory
as Junius. Soprano Margaret Lattimore and tenor Steven Saunders
will function as commentators on the action, in the style
of a Greek chorus.
Performances are preceded by informal, pre-opera chats designed
to make the opera experience more enjoyable. Single ticket
prices for The Rape of Lucretia begin at $25.00
and may be purchased online at toledoopera.org or by phone
at 419-255-SING (7464). Discounts are available for students,
seniors, and groups of ten or more.
Performances are on Saturday,
March 13 at 7:30pm and Sunday March 14, 2010 at 2pm at
the Valentine Theatre. |
