Genji monogatari (opera)
Encyclopedia
Genji monogatari is an opera
by the Japan
ese composer
Minoru Miki
, with the libretto
by Colin Graham
, based on the eponymous masterpiece of 11th-century classical Japanese literature by Murasaki Shikibu
. The opera was composed in 1999 and premiered in June 2000 at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
(OTSL) in the United States
, with Graham directing the production. Cast members from the OTSL production participated in the Japanese premiere of the opera on 20 September 2001.
The story of the opera is principally derived from the first three books of the novel.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
by the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Minoru Miki
Minoru Miki
is a Japanese composer and artistic director, particularly known for his promotional activities in favour of Japanese traditional instruments and some of their performers....
, with the libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Colin Graham
Colin Graham
Colin Graham, OBE was a British-born stage director of opera, theater, and television.Graham was educated at Northaw School , Stowe School and RADA...
, based on the eponymous masterpiece of 11th-century classical Japanese literature by Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1012...
. The opera was composed in 1999 and premiered in June 2000 at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is a summer opera festival held in St. Louis, Missouri. Typically four operas, all sung in English, are presented each season, which runs from late May to late June. Performances are accompanied by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, which is divided into two...
(OTSL) in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, with Graham directing the production. Cast members from the OTSL production participated in the Japanese premiere of the opera on 20 September 2001.
The story of the opera is principally derived from the first three books of the novel.
Roles
- Old Emperor
- Fujitsubo
- Prince Genji
- Lady Rokujo
- To-no-Chujo
- Kokiden
- Aoi
- Suzaku
- Koremitsu
- Shonagon
- Old recluse of Akashi
- The lady of Akashi