Alice in Wonderland is a 2007 operatic adaptation of the novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871) by Lewis Carroll.Work details, Boosey & Hawkes It is the first opera of Korean composer Unsuk Chin, who co-wrote the English libretto with the Asian-American playwright David Henry Hwang.
It had its world premiere on 30 June 2007. However, the jacket and notice of the DVD of the world premiere indicates that the recording was made on 27 June at the Bavarian State Opera as part of the 2007 Munich Opera Festival. Conducted by Kent Nagano and featuring Sally Matthews in the title role and Dame Gwyneth Jones as the Queen of Hearts, the production was hailed as World Premiere of the Year by the German opera magazine Opernwelt. A DVD was subsequently released by Euroarts.
The American Premier took place in 2012 at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis conducted by Michael Christie under the direction of James Robinson featuring Ashley Emerson, Tracy Dahl, , David Trudgen, Aubrey Allicock, and Julie Makerov.
The most notable subsequent production was a co-production with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and The Barbican Center in London. The LA production was conceived by director Netia Jones and conducted in Los Angeles by Susanna Mälkki and in London by Baldur Brönnimann. The cast featured Rachele Gilmore, Andrew Watts, Marie Arnet, Jenni Bank, Jane Henschel, and Dietrich Henschel.
The Opera also exists in a condensed concert version which has been performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, The Bergen Philharmonic in Bergen and Oslo, and the Seoul Philharmonic. This version originated for Soprano and Alto but a Baritone was added for the Seoul version. The concert version has been performed by Sally Matthews (soprano), Rachele Gilmore (soprano), Jenni Bank (mezzo-soprano), and Dietrich Henschel (baritone).
Roles RoleVoice typePremiere cast, June 2007Conductor: Kent NaganoAmerican premiere cast, June 2012Conductor: Michael ChristieAlicesopranoSally MatthewsCheshire CatsopranoPiia Komsi/Julia RempeMad Hatter/DuckbaritoneDietrich HenschelWhite Rabbit/Badger/March HarecountertenorAndrew WattsMouse/Pat/Cook/Dormouse/Invisible MantenorGuy de MeyUgly Duchess/Owl/Twomezzo-sopranoCynthia JansenQueen of Heartsdramatic sopranoGwyneth JonesKing of Hearts/Old Man #2/CrabbassSteven HumesFrog-Footman/Seven/DodobassRudiger TrebesCaterpillarsolo bass clarinetStefan SchneiderEaglet/Old Man #1/Executioner/Fish-Footman/FivetenorChristian RiegerChorus of Baby Animals, Creatures, Royal Entourage, 12 Jurors, Children, and Royal Children
Scenes Scene I – Dream I Scene II – The Pool of Tears Scene III – In the House of the White Rabbit Interlude I – Advice from a Caterpillar Scene IV – Pig and Pepper Scene V – A Mad Tea Party Scene VI – The Croquet Ground Interlude II Scene VII – The Trial or Who Stole the Tarts? Finale – Dream II
References
External links Looking-glass Opera, by Alex Ross, The New Yorker Alice in Wonderland, Bavarian State Opera