Benjamin: Lessons in Love and Violence (The Royal Opera)

George Benjamin and Martin Crimp’s second full-length opera – following the acclaimed Written on Skin – draws on the real-life relationship between Edward II and Piers Gaveston to explore how personal relationships can have fatal political consequences. The King lives in a close but uneasy relationship with his wife Isabel, their two children and his lover Gaveston. When the King banishes his military advisor Mortimer, he sets off a chain of devastating events.

Benjamin’s richly-orchestrated score perfectly captures the drama’s intense emotions, while director Katie Mitchell provides a visually stunning contemporary staging, highlighting the timelessness of the opera’s main themes. The composer himself conducts a superb international cast.

Stéphane Degout: King
Barbara Hannigan: Isabel
Gyula Orendt: Gaveston/Stranger
Peter Hoare: Mortimer
Samuel Boden: Boy /Young King
Jennifer France: Witness 1/Singer 1/Woman 1
Krisztina Szabó: Witness 2/Singer 2/Woman 2
Andri Björn Róbertsson: Witness 3/Madman

Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of The Royal Opera House

Conductor: George Benjamin
Text: Martin Crimp
Stage Director: Katie Mitchell

Catalogue numbers: OA1221D (DVD) / OABD7199D (BLU-RAY)

Release Date - January 2019

More information here:
DVD - http://www.opusarte.com/details/OA1221D
Blu-Ray - http://www.opusarte.com/details/OABD7...

Available now:
Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/2rk85Up
Amazon DE - https://amzn.to/2BNnORX
Amazon US - https://amzn.to/2RxluY4

Naxos Direct - http://bit.ly/2KQq5yL
Presto - http://bit.ly/2zEqG1O
MDT - http://bit.ly/2QvaNo7
Europadisc - http://bit.ly/2LRRSiR