Sir Harrison Birtwistle (1934-2022)

Gawain (1990 -1991)

opera in two acts


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1990 - 1991
      Revision dates: 1994 , 1999
    • Duration: 3 h
    • Publisher: Universal Edition
    • Commission: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
    • Libretto (details, author):

      David Harsent, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Detailed formation
  • soloists: solo soprano [Morgan le Fay] , 2 solo mezzo-sopranos [Lady de Hautdesert ; Guinevere ] , 3 solo tenors [Arthur ; Ywain ; Baldwin] , 4 solo baritones [Der Narr ; Agravain ; Gawain ; Der Grüne Ritter / Bertilak]
  • mixed choir à 4 voix
  • 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 3 tubas, timpani, 3 percussionists, harp, cymbalom, 24 violins, 9 violas, 9 cellos, 9 double basses

Premiere information

  • Date: 30 May 1991
    Location:

    Royaume-Uni, Londres.