With the world premiere of ‘Frankenstein’, the first opera of Mark Grey is finally coming to life. We sat down with the American composer and sound engineer, discussing his interpretation of Mary Shelley's famous science fiction novel. How did he and director Àlex Ollé (La Fura dels Baus) manage to transport the centuries-old creature to the present day (and even the distant future)?
On 8 March, the very first opera of the US composer Mark Grey will be created at La Monnaie : Frankenstein. The original novel by Mary Shelley is brought to the stage by La Fura dels Baus in an impressive sci-fi setting. The Catalan collective has previous been invited to La Monnaie for Le Grand Macabre, Œdipe and Un ballo in maschera.
From the large mirror hanging in the stairwell to the smallest make-up mirror backstage, there are many places at La Monnaie where artists can indulge in self-reflection. Today, soprano Emma Posman – currently performing Talus in Solar – is doing just that.
"Time has run out, we were the ones to know." With these strong words ends Solar, an 'environmental opera' about the consequences of human hubris and the reckless disregard for our natural ressources. In this video, composer Howard Moody and director Benoît De Leersnyder tell you all about the libretto, the music and the inspiration of Bruegel's painting The Fall of Icarus, but above all about the power that emanates from the young generation, represented by the La Monnaie Children's and Youth Choir.
In Bastarda there is room for only one queen: the mythical Elizabeth I of England. Inspired by a childlike sense of wonder, director Olivier Fredj reshapes La Monnaie into the court of ‘The Virgin Queen’. In this interview, he reflects on his particular form of storytelling.
