Madame X
2014
“…we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…”
Masetto and Zerlina – a young immigrant couple – are impoverished, cold, and starving. Masetto, a brilliant portrait artist, is being ripped off by his unscrupulous agent, and circling art collectors will not take “no” for an answer.
Shivering in a shabby loft, struggling to make ends meet, and exploited by the wealthy and powerful collectors Lady Brannoch and Mr Wilmore, Masetto lives for his art, protected only by his muse and love, Zerlina. Their plight becomes increasingly perilous, desperate, and deadly, until at last: revenge.
Madame X is inspired by the Italian operas of Handel and by Jacobean revenge drama. This dark, passionate and obsessive tale is peppered with black humour and explores the potent combination of money and power in the world of art.
Find out more about the opera, watch the trailers, and see the production photos, on the Radius Opera website .
Reviews
There have been many favourable reviews for Madame X (more reviews are available on the Radius Opera website) - here are some snippets!
“Tim Benjamin refreshingly provided an opera that succeeds in sustaining interest over nearly two hours ... The fluent, well-crafted score offers some striking moments”
— Opera
“The score is beautifully composed and has many delicious flavours and shades”
— A Younger Theatre
“Benjamin directs the opera himself with considerable theatrical flair”
— The Guardian
Duration
1 hour 50 minutes (Act 1: 1 hour, Act 2: 50 minutes)
Instrumentation
9 singers (5 principals), flute, clarinet, string quartet, harpsichord doubling chamber organ
First performance
Radius on tour: 21st August 2014 at The Hippodrome Theatre, Todmorden; 22/23 August 2014 at The Square Chapel (Halifax), London Premiere: 25th August 2014 at The Arcola Theatre, London (Grimeborn Festival), RNCM Opera Theatre (Manchester): 25th September 2014
Request a score / parts
If you would like to see a score and/or require a set of parts for this music, please contact me.