Powder Her Face

Opera & Ballet 2023

Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès

The true story of a scandalous and millionaire divorce in 1950s England is the basis of the chamber opera by Thomas Adés, one of the most successful contemporary opera composers. The ironic music, punctuated with references to swing and tango, will win over teenagers and adults alike.

Premiere in Turin

Riccardo Bisatti conductor
Paolo Vettori direction
Claudia Boasso sets
Laura Viglione costumes
Gianni Bertoli luci
Orchestra Teatro Regio Torino
New staging Teatro Regio Torino

The vision is not recommended to public under 16 years

Chamber opera in two acts

Music by Thomas Adès
Libretto by Philip Hensher
World première:
Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham Music Festival,
Overtitles in italian/english
indicative duration
65'

Characters and cast

Irina Bogdanova (foto Alexey Konoplia)
La duchessa Soprano

Irina Bogdanova (Regio Ensemble)

Amélie Hois (foto Daniel Grandolfi Photography)
La cameriera Soprano

Amélie Hois

Thomas Cilluffo
L'elettricista Tenor

Thomas Cilluffo

Lorenzo Mazzucchelli
Il direttore dell’hotel Bass

Lorenzo Mazzucchelli

Performances

Location: Piccolo Regio Puccini Full calendar

Opera & Ballet
Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès
2023-03-10 20:00:00 Europe/Rome Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès di | Thomas Adès Teatro Regio di Torino Teatro Regio di Torino

Opera & Ballet
Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès
2023-03-12 15:00:00 Europe/Rome Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès di | Thomas Adès Teatro Regio di Torino Teatro Regio di Torino

Opera & Ballet
Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès
2023-03-14 20:00:00 Europe/Rome Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès di | Thomas Adès Teatro Regio di Torino Teatro Regio di Torino

Opera & Ballet
Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès
2023-03-16 20:00:00 Europe/Rome Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès di | Thomas Adès Teatro Regio di Torino Teatro Regio di Torino

Opera & Ballet
Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès
2023-03-18 15:00:00 Europe/Rome Powder Her Face | Thomas Adès di | Thomas Adès Teatro Regio di Torino Teatro Regio di Torino

Synopsis

atto

Scene 1 (1990)
The hotel. An electrician and a maid are discovered by the Duchess in her suite, ridiculing her. The scene closes with the entrance of a male figure.

Scene 2 (1934)
A country House. The Duchess's confidante and a lounge lizard discuss her recent divorce. The Duke makes an impressive entrance.

Scene 3 (1936)
The Duke and Duchess's wedding is described in a fancy aria by a waitress.

Scene 4 (1953)
The Duchess stays at the hotel and seduces a waiter. The waiter accepts a tip and reveals the recurrence of the Duchess's deeds.

Scene 5 (1953)
The Duke visits his mistress. They flirt and she suggests that the Duchess's serial seductions are the talk of London.

atto

Scene 6 (1955)
Two rubberneckers comment extravagantly on the divorce case. The judge denigrates the Duchess's morals.

Scene 7 (1970)
The Duchess is interviewed by a society journalist. Her bill is delivered.

Scene 8 (1990)
The hotel manager tells the Duchess to leave the hotel, since she is unable to pay her bills. She attempts to seduce him but with no success. She departs.

Epilogue. The electrician and the maid surface from beneath the bed and destroy the hotel room.

(source Wikipedia)