The Perfect American Philip Glass
New Production
ENO
Based on Peter Stephan Jungk’s novel and written by Philip Glass, one of the world’s most important composers, The Perfect American imagines the final months of Walt Disney’s life, including mythical imaginings of Abraham Lincoln and Andy Warhol. This latest opera from Glass, his 24th, was commissioned by ENO and Teatro Real Madrid to mark his 75th birthday.
British theatre director Phelim McDermott returns following his spectacular production of Satyagraha for ENO and the Metropolitan Opera, New York, described as ‘transfixing musically and visually’ (The Guardian). The design is by leading international designer Dan Potra, whose work on the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games ceremony was widely acclaimed.
Fresh from his exceptional performance as Mephistopheles in Terry Gilliam’s 2011 Damnation of Faust, acclaimed British baritone Christopher Purves is Walt Disney, while soprano Janis Kelly creates the role of Disney’s studio nurse and confidante.
In collaboration with Improbable.
Performances Jun 1, 6, 8, 13, 17, 20, 25, 27, 28 at 7.30pm
9 performances
Cast:
New production supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, ENO’s Contemporary Opera Group and the American Friends of ENO.
Conductor Gareth Jones
Director Phelim McDermott
Designer Dan Potra
Choreographer Ben Wright
Video Designers 59 Ltd
Lighting Designer Jon Clark
Cast includes:
Walt Disney Christopher Purves
Roy David Soar
Hazel George Janis Kelly
Sharon Sarah Tynan
Andy Warhol John Easterlin
Abraham Lincoln Zachary James
Lillian Disney Pamela Helen Stephen
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