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.