Lady Sarashina is an opera in nine tableaux by Hungarian composer Péter Eötvös to a libretto by Mari Mezei, based on As I crossed a Bridge of Dreams, fragments of an 11th-century diary (Japan, 1008) by Takasue's daughter, also known as Lady Sarashina. It premiered on 4 March 2008 at the Opéra National de Lyon. The opera is the result of a commission by the opera in Lyon; it was broadcast in full on France Musique on 27 September 2008.
Libretto Lady Sarashina lived in Japan in the eleventh century, a time of high civilization where Japanese women held an essential role in social, economic and cultural life. She is the author of a classic piece in Japanese literature, The Journal of Sarashina. In her diary, she writes about her love of Japanese nature and landscapes, describes the sites she visits, the pilgrimages, dreams and monologues about life and death. In the opera, Lady Sarashina narrates her life. All the other roles are portrayed by three other singers, the Vocal Trio.
Roles RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 4 March 2008Conductor: Peter EötvösLady SarashinasopranoMireille DelunschTrio vocal:Le Garde, Le Bouffon, Le Messager, Le Père, Le Chat, Le Bonze, Le GentilhommebaritonePeter BordingTrio vocal:La Princesse, La Jeune Lady, Une dame du rêvesopranoIlse EerensTrio vocal:L'Impératrice, La Mère, La Sœur, Une dame du rêve, La Dame d'honneurmezzo-sopranoSalome KammerOrchestraOrchestre de l'Opéra de LyonDirectorUshio AmagatsuSetNatsuyuki NakanishiCostumesMasatomo Ota Lighting designYukiko Yoshimoto The staging was a co-production with the Théâtre national de l'opéra-comique, where it was staged in February 2009. In April 2013, the same production was mounted by the Polish National Opera in Teatr Wielki, Warsaw.
Instrumentation The instrumentation calls for: 2 fl (both + Piccolo, second + altfl.), 1 ob (+ Eng.horn), 3 clar. (third + basscl.), 2 bassoon (second + contrabassoon), 1 sax (S-A-T-Bar), Winds: 3 - 2- 3- 1, 2 percussion, 1 harp, 1 sampler keyboard Strings: 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2
Critical reception In 2008, the opera received the prestigious Prix du Syndicat de la critique for Best Musical Creation. The world premiere drew wide international attention from the press. Reviews ranged from favorable to triumphant.
References
External links Opéra comique Paris website – extensive background Peter Eötvös compositions - Lady Sarashina