Da gelo a gelo ("From one frost to the next") is an opera in 100 scenes (some lasting as little as 3') by Salvatore Sciarrino. The composer's Italian libretto is based on one year (1002–03) and 65 poems from the journal of Izumi Shikibu encompassing her affair with Prince Atsumishi.

Da gelo a gelo
Opera by Salvatore Sciarrino
The composer in 2016
Translation
  • From one frost to the next
  • Kälte
LibrettistSciarrino
LanguageItalian
Based on65 poems by Izumi Shikibu
Premiere
21 May 2006 (2006-05-21) (in German)

The opera was a co-commission of the Schwetzingen Festival, the Grand Théâtre de Genève and the Opéra National de Paris and premiered in the Schlosstheater Schwetzingen under the German title Kälte on 21 May 2006. The choreography for the singers by Trisha Brown was retained for the 2007 Paris production at the Palais Garnier. The piece lasts 110 minutes.

Roles

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Role Voice type Premiere Cast
(Conductor: Tito Ceccherini)
Izumi soprano Anna Radziejewska
The Prince's nurse/ Izumi's maid mezzo-soprano Ulrike Mayer
Izumi's page contraltino Felix Uehlein
The Prince's page counter-tenor Michael Hofmeister
The Prince baritone Otto Katzameier

Instrumentation

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The instrumentation is S, Ms, 2 Ct, Bar / 3 (II Fl.c in Sol, III Fl.b). 3 (III C.i). 3 (III Cl.b). 2 / 2. 3. 2. -. / Perc / strings (min. 10. 8. 6. 4. 4.)[clarification needed]

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