Prisoner of the State
New York Philharmonic, 2019
Barbican Theatre, 2020
Premiere of new piece inspired by Beethoven’s Fidelio by David Lang
Co-commissioned and coproduced by:
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
The Barbican, London
Bochum Philharmoniker, Bochum
De Doelen, Rotterdam
Concertgebouw Bruges
Malmö Opera, Malmo
Barcelona Symphony Orchestra l Festival GREC, Barcelona
Conductor: Ilan Volkov
Director: Elkhanah Pulitzer
Assistant Director: Miguel A Castillo
Set Design: Matt Saunders
Projections: Adam Larsen
Costume Design: Maline Casta
Lighting Design: Thom Weaver
Hair and Make Up: Anne Ford-Coates
Sound Design: Mark Grey
Choral Conductor: Donald Nally
Assistant: Julie Mathevet
Jailer: Eric Owens (New York Philharmonic)
Davone Tines (Barbican Theatre)
Guards: Christopher Bowen, Tom Raskin, Edward Price, Jimmy Holliday
Prisoner: Jarrett Ott
Governor: Alan Oke
Reviews
“David Lang’s ‘Prisoner of the State,’ a streamlined, seething updating of ‘Fidelio,’ ends the New York Philharmonic’s season on a high note.”
“‘Prisoner of the State’ is an evocative reimagining in which Beethoven’s original lurks just below the
surface, visible like a gravestone rubbing that has been worked into a new drawing.”
“For most of its seventy-five-minute length, the new work, which had its world premiere at the New York Philharmonic on June 6 at David Geffen Hall, hews surprisingly close to Fidelio’s scenario, but Lang’s setting invites us to look at the story through contemporary eyes. ”
“Prisoner of the State is a smart, probing commentary on Fidelio that rewards the listener with the novelty of a new work, together with an interpretation of a past one.”
“a vibrant ensemble effort in a production conceived and directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer encouraged receptivity to something different.”
New York Phil Production Photos
Barbican Theatre Production Photos
Photo Credits: Mark Allen
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