English National Opera, Alexander Raskatov’s ''A dog's Heart''

Monika Rittershaus'photo

ENO’sstagings of numerous contemporary operas over the last three seasons have brought together directors and composers in an innovative way. A Dog’s Heart, a De Nederlandse Opera/ENO production, commissioned by DNO and in collaboration with Complicite, is no exception as ENO gives the UK premiere of Russian composer Alexander Raskatov’s first opera, directed by Simon McBurney and conducted by Garry Walker. Raskatov’s extensive work includes many settings of contemporary Russian poets and he is well known for his completion of Schnittke’s 9th Symphony in 2007, made at the request of the composer’s widow. His musical sound-world is heavily influenced by Stravinsky and Webern and the score for A Dog’s Heart is laden with fantasy and emotion. Complicite’s Simon McBurney makes his opera directing debut with this new opera based on Mikhail Bulgakov’s satiric novel Heart of a Dog which was banned in 1926 and not published in Russia until 1987, 47 years after his death. Bulgakov’s story of Sharik, a stray dog who becomes human, is a Russian cultural phenomenon. After a Frankenstein-like organ transplant by his master, Sharik the dog becomes Sharikov the proletarian, and makes his master’s life a misery. Simon McBurney is recognized as one of the most important theatrical creators working in Britain today. As a co-founder and artistic director of the theatre company Complicite, Simon McBurney has consistently created magical and mysterious productions through his years with the company. McBurney works with his regular Complicite collaborators, designer Michael Levine (ENO’s Madam Butterfly) and projection designer Finn Ross. Sharik the dog is created through puppetry by the celebrated Blind Summit Theatre Company who created the child in Anthony Minghella’s ENO production of Madam Butterfly. The creative team is completed with lighting designer Paul Anderson, costume designer Christina Cunningham and movement director Toby Sedgwick. Garry Walker, who made his Company debut with David McVicar’s production of Britten’s The Turn of the Screw in 2006, conducts a stellar cast including Peter Hoare as Sharikov; Stephen Page – the highly praised Gregor Mittenhofer in ENO’s production of Henze’s Elegy for Young Lovers – as Filip Filopovich; Leigh Melrose as Bormental; Andrew Watts in the role of Vyasemskaya following highly acclaimed performances as Prince Go-Go (Le Grand Macabre) and Ferdinand (The Duchess of Malfi) and Lucy Allen Lundy as Zina. They are joined by Elena Vassilieva as Daria and Alasdair Elliot sings Shvonder. A Dog’s Heart opens at the London Coliseum on 20 November for 7 performances –20, 22, 24, 26, 30 November & 2 December at 7.30pm and 4 December at 6.30pm. A De Nederlandse Opera / English National Opera production in collaboration with Complicite. Built by DNO.

Characters

Filip Filipovich Steven Page

Bormental Leigh Melrose

Sharikov Peter Hoare

Daria and Unpleasant Voice Elena Vassilieva

Zina Nancy Allen Lundy

Shvonder Alasdair Elliott

Vyasemskaya and Pleasant Voice Andrew Watts

Big Boss / Fyodor / Newspaper Man Graeme Danby

Sharikov’s Fiancee Sophie des Mars

Investigator Matthew Hargreaves

First Patient Peter Hoare

Provocateur David Newman

Second Patient Frances McCafferty

Proletarians (4) 1) Ella Kirkpatrick

2) Andrew Watts

3) Alasdair Elliott

4) Michael Burke

Conductor Garry Walker

Director Simon McBurney

Set Designer Michael Levine

Costume Designer Christina Cunningham

Lighting Designer Paul Anderson

Movement Director Toby Sedgwick

Video Designer Finn Ross

Director of Puppetry Mark Down (Blind Summit)

Approximate timings and intervals

Act I ….; Act II …..

There will be an interval of 20 minutes following Act I

The performance will last approximately 2 hours 50 minutes

Join The Conversation: Live!

20 November at 6.00pm, Apple Store Covent Garden.

Christopher Cook leads debates and conversations around A Dog’s Heart both live and online at the ENO blog ‘Inside Opera’, and is joined by a panel of experts. Free to attend on a first come first served basis. No booking required just turn up and join in. Apple Store, 1 – 7 The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8HB. www.eno.org/explore ; www.eno.org/explore; www.apple.com/uk/coventgarden

Box Office: 0871 911 0200 or online www.eno.org

(Press Release/English National Opera)