Thomas Larcher Das Jagdgewehr (“The Hunting Gun”) opera to a libretto by Friederike Gösweiner after the novel Ryōjū by Yasushi Inoue. Directed 2018 by Karl Markovics at the Werkstattbühne as part of the Brergenz Festival. Stars Sarah Aristidou (Shoko), Giulia Peri (Midori), Olivia Vermeulen (Saiko), Robin Tritschler (The Poet), and Andrè Schuen (Josuke Misugi). Michael Boder conducts the Ensemble Modern and the Schola Heidelberg (Chorus Master Walter Nussbaum). Set and costume design by Katharina Wöppermann; lighting design by Bernd Purkrabek; sound design by Norbert Ommer; dramatic advisor was Olaf A. Schmitt. Directed for TV by Felix Breisach. Sung in German. Released 2020, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
This experimental opera, based on Japanese literature, was recorded on the “Workshop Stage” at Bregenz. The Blu-ray gets a “Critic’s Choice” accolade from Joe Cadagin in the September 2020 Opera News at pages 42-43. Joe calls this another trite opera tale of illicit love “redeemed by Larcher’s sensitive response to text rich in symbolism.” There are 4 characters: the “vampirically handsome” husband , a jealous wife, a distraught teenage daughter, and the husband’s lover, who swears she will kill herself if she’s found out. The orchestra is the 18-piece Ensemble Modern and there are 6 chorus singers who double on percussion. Some of the musicians are placed on stage where they sometimes take over roles from the star singers! Larcher builds in, of course, seemingly impossible demands on the singers who nevertheless always exhibit “natural lyricism.” By now you probably either love or hate this title; it’s on our buy list for sure.
Here’s a clip from Sarah Aristidou playing the daughter:
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