ANGER

(1993/2007)

opera sketch - 5'

Commissioned by English National Opera, and Tête-à-Tête Productions

A diva showcases her entire repertory. Two critics upstage her, insisting their opinions are paramount. The performance ends in ugly fashion.

Anger was initially written for a private event – 7 Deadly Opera Sins to mark the end of the ‘Power House’ regime for the management of English National Opera: Mark Elder, Peter Jonas, David Pountney and Edmund Tracey, and was first performed, alongside sins of Robin Holloway, Jeremy Sams, Jonathan Dove, David and Colin Matthews, and Alec Roth at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in June 1993. The Diva was Vivian Tierney, and the critics Nigel Douglas and Karl Daymond, with Nicholas Kok at the piano. The public premiere took place on November 12, 2007 at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith W6 as part of Tête-à-Tête's show 'Blind Date', for which this skit was remodeled, with a mezzo replacing the tenor and orchestrated for a small ensemble. The Diva was Stephanie Corley and the Critics, Susan Atherton and Damien Thantrey. Chroma was conducted by Timothy Murray, and the show was directed by Bill Bankes-Jones.

Premiere: public version: 12 November 2007, Riverside Studios London W6

Director: Bill Bankes-Jones

Designer: Tim Meacock

Conductor: Tim Murray

A Diva - soprano

Two critics - mezzo soprano/baritone

Flute, clarinet, horn, trombone, violin, 'cello