Sir Harrison Birtwistle (1934-2022)

The Second Mrs Kong (1993 -1994)

opera in two acts


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1993 - 1994
    • Duration: 2 h
    • Publisher: Universal Edition
    • Commission: Glyndebourne Touring Opera
    • Libretto (details, author):

      Russell Hoban (en anglais), traduit en allemand par Sven Hartberger

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 3 solo sopranos [Perl ; Spiegel / Spiegel Echo (lyrique) ; Eurydice (lyrique) ] , solo mezzo-soprano [Inanna (Mrs Dollarama)] , solo contralto [Madame Lena] , solo countertenor [Orpheus] , 2 solo tenors [Kong ; Swami Zumzum (Spieltenor)] , 2 solo baritones [Vermeer ; Mr Dollarama] , solo bass-baritone [Anubis / Tod von Kong ] , solo bass voice [Der monströse Bote / Joe Shady] , violin [Paganini]
  • ensemble of vocal soloists(2 solo soprano, 2 solo mezzo-soprano [4 Modelle / Zweifel / Furcht / Verzweiflung / Schrecken]), mixed choir à 4 voix
  • 2 flutes (also 2 piccolos, 1 alto flute), 2 oboes (also 1 English horn), 2 clarinets (also 2 Eb clarinets, 1 A clarinet, 1 bass clarinet), soprano saxophone (also alto saxophone, baritone saxophone), tenor saxophone, 2 bassoons (also 1 contrabassoon), 4 horns, 2 trumpets [en ut] , 2 tubas (also 1 euphonium), 4 percussionists, accordion, cymbalom, 16 violins, 6 violas, 6 cellos, 4 double basses

Premiere information

  • Date: 24 October 1994
    Location:

    Royaume-Uni, Glyndebourne, opéra


    Performers:

    Philip Landridge, Helen Field, Michael Charce, Steven Page, Omar Ebrahim, Phyllis Cana, Robert Poulton, Deborah York, Nuala Wills, Elgar Howarth : direction, Tom Cairns : mise en scène.