Page 124 - Aldeburgh Festival 2022 FINAL COVERAGE BOOK

Theatr Clwyd, Mold, 19 June

Hackney Empire, London, 23 June

Buxton International Festival, Buxton, 18 July

Writer Alice Birch and composer Tom Coult are amongst the most
compelling voices in their respective fields and their first opera, developed

at Snape Maltings as part of its Jerwood Opera Writing Programme, is an
opera for now and about now.

In a muddied nightdress, in a country kitchen, Violet finally smiles. For
years, her tired daily routine has been dictated by the inescapable chime of
the Clock Tower, until one night she feels time quicken. Suddenly an hour
is lost – every day. As the hours disappear, long-held certainties evaporate
and ordered society falls into disarray. With the townspeople in crisis, can
Violet finally escape?

Violet was due to be premiered at the cancelled 2020 Aldeburgh Festival

and will now open the 2022 Festival with two performances (3 & 5 June).
Following the performances at Aldeburgh Festival, Music Theatre Wales
will be touring the production to the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff (8 June),
Theatre Clwyd in Mold (19 June), in London presented by the Royal
Opera at Hackney Empire (23 June) and Buxton Festival (18 July).

Andrew Gourlay conducts the London Sinfonietta and a cast

featuring Anna Dennis (Violet), Richard Burkhard (Felix) Frances
Gregory (Laura) and Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks (The Clock Keeper).
Anna Dennis replaces Elizabeth Atherton who has withdrawn due to
personal circumstances. The creative team includes director Jude
Christian, designer Rosie Elnile and costume designer Cécile
Trémolières.

Violet is a co-production by Britten Pears Arts and Music Theatre Wales,
staged in association with the London Sinfonietta. The London

performance is co-produced and presented by The Royal Opera in
association with Hackney Empire.