Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020)

Paradise Lost (1976 -1978)

Sacra Rappresentazione, in two acts

electronic work
stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date : 1976 - 1978
    • Duration : 3 h
    • Publisher : Schott
    • Libretto (details, author) :

      Christopher Fry d'après John Milton

Detailed formation
  • soloists : 2 narrators [Milton ; voix de Dieu] , 4 solo baritones [lyrique : Adam ; dramatique : Satan ; Mammon ; Messias] , 2 solo sopranos [lyrique : Eva ; colorature : Zephon] , 4 solo tenors [Beelzebub ; Belial ; Gabriel ; Michael] , 2 solo bass voices [Moloch ; Christus] , 2 solo countertenors [Tod ; Ithuriel, Raphael] , solo mezzo-soprano [Sünde]
  • mixed choir, children's choir
  • 4 ocarinas [SATB] , 3 flutes (also 1 alto flute, 1 piccolo, 1 bass flute), 3 oboes (also 1 English horn), Eb clarinet, 3 clarinets (also 3 A clarinets, 1 bass clarinet), contrabass clarinet, soprano saxophone, 3 bassoons (also 1 contrabassoon), 5 horns (also 3 Wagner tubas [2 en sib, 1 en fa] ), 3 trumpets, 4 trombones (also 1 contrabass trombone), tuba, timpani, 2 percussionists, harp, piano, celesta, organ, 24 violins, 8 violas, 8 cellos, 6 double basses

Premiere information

  • Date : 29 November 1978
    Location :

    États-Unis, Opéra de Chicago


    Performers :

    Bruno Bartoletti : direction, mise en scène : Igal Perry, décors et costumes : Ezio Frigerio, chorégraphie: John Butler.

Information on the electronics
Electronic device : autre dispositif électronique (générateur)