Rape of Lucretia
Performer
An unforgivable crime, and a hollow prayer
A CO-PRODUCTION OF SYDNEY CHAMBER OPERA AND VICTORIAN OPERA
A MODERN STAGING OF AN ICONIC OPERA
Jessica O’Donoghue as Tarquinius and Bianca
The Roman tale of Lucretia’s tragic violation at the hands of the tyrant Tarquinius. Britten’s Lucretia seethes with psychological insight and desperate yearning for divinity. It is a ritual circle carved out for the noblest acts of humanity – and the most depraved.
The production explores the moral implications of rape, marital fidelity and male aggression, filtered through the microscope of the Male and Female Chorus.
COMPOSER: Benjamin Britten
CONDUCTOR: Jack Symonds
DIRECTOR: Kip Williams
LIBRETTO: Ronald Duncan
PHOTO CREDITS: Zan Wimberley
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“Doing double duty, particular kudos goes to Jessica O’Donoghue who portrays the menacing Tarquinius and Jeremy Kleeman the chaste Lucretia. Both were stunningly able to embody the roles of other singers… You may never have the opportunity to hear a better cast than this.”
— Sounds Like Sydney
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“Jessica O’Donoghue has the rather difficult task of singing Lucretia’s pragmatic and devoted nurse Bianca, while performing the actions of Lucretia’s attacker. O’Donoghue handles this duality brilliantly.”
— Daily Review ★★★★
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“…the menacing Jessica O’Donoghue [whose] physical characterisation of Tarquinius was particularly excellent…”
— Bachtrack ★★★★
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![Sydney Morning Herald logo black]()
“Tarquinius receives smooth vocal representation from Nathan Lay and lynx-like stage portrayal from Jessica O’Donoghue, who sang Bianca with beguiling colour.”
— Sydney Morning Herald ★★★★
