Edinburgh Festival unveils MacRae opera

Edinburgh Festival unveils MacRae opera
Edinburgh International Festival has announced the premiere of a new opera by Stuart MacRae. The Assassin Tree is MacRae’s first venture into opera and features a libretto by poet Simon Armitage. Inspired by a classical myth, the opera explores the story of the goddess Diana and her lover the King of the Wood. Diana’s promises of freedom and immortality tempt strangers into the wood, troubling the king and threatening his reign.

Although not yet thirty, MacRae already has a strong association with the Edinburgh Festival. In 2001 James MacMillan conducted a retrospective of his work, whilst the 2002 festival featured memorable performances of Sleep at the Feet of Daphne and the Violin Concerto.

Co-commissioned by Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Opera House in a co-production with Scottish Opera, The Assassin Tree will be performed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on August 25 – 27. Further performances will follow at the Linbury Studio of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in early September.

Click here to read an interview with Stuart MacRae about The Assassin Tree.

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