A love triangle gone awry
Finally making its New York debut is George Benjamin's visceral and erotically charged Written on Skin. Since its first appearance at the 2012 Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, opera companies the world over have clamoured to stage this modern masterpiece.
Set in medieval Provence, Written on Skin is the searing tale of the powerful Protector and his pure and servile (in his mind) Agnes. When he enlists the help of a young artisan The Boy, to write an illuminated manuscript detailing his life, the illiterate Agnes finds herself in the thrall of the art form and passionately seduces him. When The Protector becomes aware of this betrayal, he resolves to serve up a very tangible slice of revenge.
Starring Barbara Hannigan and Christopher Purves in the roles they originated, Written on Skin is a gripping psychological drama, set to the eerie sound of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and will most likely go on to become indispensible in the repertoire.