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Lyric Opera and Theatre Works Present

IPHIS

Music by Elena Kats-Chernin
Libretto by Richard Toop after Ovid’s Metamorphoses

26 Aug - 3 Sep

Elena Kats-Chernin’s first opera, IPHIS, is a 70-minute chamber work written for 6 singers and 9-piece chamber orchestra.

Based on Ovid’s METAMORPHOSIS, with a libretto by Richard Toop, Iphis is forced to grow up in secret as a boy due to her overbearing father who only wants to have sons in his family. Years later, the ruse starts to unravel as Iphis’ father presents the Ianthe as a budding bride to his supposed son. As they fall in love, they are faced with finding their own way forwards and becoming the people they were meant to be. IPHIS shines a light onto the subject of gender, relationships, and identity in modern society.

Musically the work is a rich pastiche drawing on the cabaret traditions of Les Six and Kurt Weill, with echoes of Mozart and Stravinsky.

Lyric is a bold and creative opera company committed to developing operatic artists and enriching the understanding of what opera can be. Under the direction of Katy Maudlin (SLAP. BANG. KISS., Right Now, Antigone X), with designs by the wildly creative Brynna Lowen, lighting by the multi-award winning Richard Vabre, and conducted by Lyric’s new Artistic Director - Patrick Burns, this production will entertain and move audiences in equal measure.

Lyric was the winner of the 2019 Green Room Award for Contribution to the Development of Opera in Victoria.

VENUE

Theatre Works

DURATION

75 Minutes (No Interval)

WARNINGS

Mild Language Warning

DATES & TIMES

Friday 26 August, 7:30pm (Opening Night)
Saturday 27 August, 2:30pm (Matinee)
Tuesday 30 August, 7:30pm
Wednesday 31 August, 7:30pm
Thursday 1 September, 7:30pm
Friday 2 September, 7:30pm
Saturday 3 September, 7:30pm

Director: Katy Maudlin
Conductor: Patrick Burns
Design: Brynna Lowen
Lighting: Richard Vabre

Iphis: Morgan Carter
Lidgus: Douglas Kelly
Telethusa: Nicole Wallace
God 1: Timothy Daly
God 2: Troy Castle
Ianthe: Breanna Stuart

“Lyric Opera of Melbourne continues to delight with these boutique productions.” Classic Melbourne

“...with some exceptionally fine singing and a beautiful production of fascinating invention, Lyric has once again created an operatic treat that should not be missed.” Classic Melbourne

“It’s bright, clever direction like this that really shows off why companies like Melbourne’s Lyric are such an important proving ground for directors, singers and instrumentalists at every point in their professional development.” Limelight Magazine

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