Batavia is an opera in three acts and a prologue by Richard Mills to a libretto by Peter Goldsworthy, commissioned by Opera Australia. The plot is based on the historical events surrounding the Dutch sailing vessel Batavia's 1629 sinking and massacre of the shipwreck survivors.
The opera premiered on 11 May 2001 at the State Theatre (Melbourne) for the Centenary of Federation Festival. It received three Helpmann Awards and six Green Room Awards. The work lasts for about three hours and ten minutes with one interval. The CD recording was captured at the State Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, on the 11 & 13 May 2001.[1][2]
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 11 May 2001 Conductor: Richard Mills |
|---|---|---|
| Francis Pelsaert, commander | bass | Bruce Martin |
| Gijsbert Bastiensz, preacher | baritone | John Bolton-Wood |
| Wiebbe Hayes, provost | tenor | Barry Ryan |
| Jeronimus Cornelisz, undermerchant | baritone | Michael Lewis |
| Conraat van Huyssen, nobleman/company cadet | tenor | Jamie Allen |
| Lucretia Jansz | soprano | Anke Höppner |
| Zwaantie Hendricx, Lucretia's maid | soprano | Emma Matthews |
| Maria Bastiensz, the preacher's wife | mezzo-soprano | Elizabeth Campbell |
| Henchman | tenor | James Egglestone |
| Judit, the preacher's daughter | soprano | Joanne Blankfield |
| Willem, Judit's younger brother | boy soprano | Bill Dodd |
| Caspar, Wiebbe Hayes' son | boy soprano | Mark Casey |
| Bessel, Wiebbe Hayes' son | boy soprano | Christopher Toohey |
| Director | Lindy Hume | |
| Design | Dan Potra | |
| Lighting | Rory Dempster | |
| Chorus | ||
References
edit- ^ "Australian Music Centre Catalogue". Australian Music Centre. Archived from the original on May 14, 2004. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ Opera Australia (2006). "Batavia". Archived from the original on 2006-10-10. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
- Whipping up a storm, composing Batavia: an interview with Richard Mills / Anna Goldsworthy. In: Context (Summer 2000/2001), Issue: 20, 43-50 [1]
External links
editCohn, Neville (2004). "Batavia (A review)". OZartsreview. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
For a synopsis and review of the Melbourne premiere performance, see
For a synopsis and review of the Perth performance, see
For Bruce Martin's reflections on creating the role of Francisco Pelsaert, see