The Fly is an opera in two acts by Canadian composer Howard Shore, with a libretto by David Henry Hwang. It was commissioned by the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, where it premiered on 2 July 2008, and by Edgar Baitzel, then director of the Los Angeles Opera, where the opera was first performed on 7 September 2008. The work was broadcast by Radio France's station France Musique on 2 August 2008.
The opera is loosely based on David Cronenberg's 1986 film The Fly, which was based on the short story of the same name by George Langelaan. Shore also wrote the musically unrelated score of that film.
Roles RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 2 July 2008Conductor: Plácido DomingoSeth Brundle (The Fly), scientistbass-baritoneDaniel OkulitchVeronica Quaife, journalistmezzo-sopranoRuxandra DonoseStathis Borans, editortenorDavid Curry in ParisGary Lehman in Los AngelesOfficer/Medical Analyst/Cheeversmezzo-sopranoBeth ClaytonMarkytenorJay Hunter MorrisScientist #1mezzo-sopranoSophie van de Woestyne in ParisSilvia Vasquez in Los AngelesScientist #2baritone Jean-Gabriel Saint-Martin in ParisNicholas Hartley in Los AngelesScientist #3mezzo-soprano Louise Callinan in ParisAnna Jablonski in Los AngelesScientist #4baritone Frederic Goncalves in ParisMatthew Moore in Los AngelesScientist #5baritone Luc Lalonde in ParisAndrew Wilkowske in Los AngelesDirectorDavid CronenbergSet designerDante FerrettiCostume designerDenise CronenbergLighting designerA.J. WeissbardAssociate conductor/Chorus masterGrant GershonMakeup and creature designStephan L. DupuisMakeup, creature and puppet fabricationMark A. Rappaport's Creature Effects, Inc. The opera runs approximately two hours.
References
External links
(a review)