The Alma Fetish

Описание: The Alma Fetish
World premiere concert performance of an opera by Raymond Deane (music) and Gavin Kostick (libretto)
Wide Open Opera

When the early passion of their affair fades away, Alma Mahler (Majella Cullagh, soprano) challenges Oskar Kokoschka (Leigh Melrose, baritone) to enlist and fight in World War I, paving the way for her next lover. Wounded and suffering from shell-shock, Oskar’s only path back to sanity is to commission a lifesize doll of Alma, with which he dines, rides in a carriage, and attends the opera. He also uses it as an artist's model. The scandal in Vienna is huge, but when Oskar regains his equilibrium, he realises he no longer needs the doll. He and his faithful maid Hulda (Daire Halpin, soprano) arrange a party with his students, during which they drunkenly behead and defenestrate the doll. In the epilogue, Alma and Oskar briefly meet in Venice 20 years later, before going their separate ways.

The concept for this opera was first proposed by artist Pauline Bewick, and one scene was commissioned by RTÉ lyric fm, and recorded for broadcast in 2009. Raymond Deane worked on The Alma Fetish between 2006-2011, assisted by a project grant from the Arts Council of Ireland / An chomhairle ealaíon.

This 2013 premiere performance was given by Wide Open Opera in conjunction with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and the National Concert Hall with visuals by Pauline Bewick projected on a large screen above the stage. The performance was filmed by Ronan O'Leary and Ronan Lee. It opens with an unplanned onstage interview with the composer!


Composer: Raymond Deane
Librettist: Gavin Kostick
Visuals: Pauline Bewick
Lighting Design: Mark Galione
Cast:
Majella Cullagh (Alma)
Leigh Melrose (Oskar)
Daire Halpin (Hulda)
Graeme Danby (Russian Soldier)
Megan Kennedy (Doll)
Deirdre Moynihan (Voice of the Doll)
Laura Murphy (Female Guest 1)
Deirdre Moynihan (Female Guest 2)
Eugene Ginty (Male Guest)
Catherine Redding (Female Student 1)
Maria Kelly (Female Student 2)
Richard Shaffrey (Male Student 1)
Nathan Morrison (Male Student 2)
Chorus of Wide Open Opera
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Fergus Sheil Conductor