Festen

Libretto by Lee Hall (E) based on the Dogme film FESTEN by Thomas Vinterberg and Mogens Rukov.

Major roles: 3S.T.Bar.B; Minor roles: 4S.2M.2A.6T.5Bar.2B;SATB chorus;3children’s voices
3(III=picc/afl).2.corA.2.2bcl.ssax.2.dbn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc:marimba/vib/BD/tgl/gong/tam-t/tamb/SD/cyms/claves/drum.set/3wdbl/brake.dr/ratchet/guiro/maracas/3congas/tom-t/cast/timbales/crot/whip-pft(=cel)-harp-str

Christian, the eldest son of Helge, returns home to the family's hotel to celebrate his father’s 60th birthday. The celebration is full of friends, work colleagues and extended family, including Christian’s sister, Helena, and his estranged brother, Michael. The festivities commence, beginning with the ritual greetings and moving on to the celebratory meal, complete with obligatory sentimental songs, speeches and reminiscence. So far, so familiar. But when Christian rises to honour his father, far from the usual praise, his speech reveals home truths of such shocking brutality that surely nothing will be the same again.
Lee Hall

“Mark-Anthony Turnage’s adaptation of Thomas Vinterberg’s cult film tackles topical themes with dark wit and devastating emotion.”
The Telegraph

“Turnage’s taut new opera grips, appals and moves.”
The Guardian

“A haunting drama of light and dark. Mark-Anthony Turnage and Lee Hall have created a compelling new opera based on the hit Danish film.”
The Times

“The cult film gets a sharp, riotous opera treatment… even more emotionally lacerating than the 1998 original.”
Financial Times

“Daring, lyrical and brilliantly achieved, Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new opera is his best work yet… dazzling and jubilantly entertaining.”
The Observer

Comic, Tragic