Robert Saxton’s long-awaited radio opera, commissioned by the BBC, is a modernist take on the tale of the Wandering Jew – the shoe-mender condemned by Jesus to wander the Earth until the Second Coming after he refused to help him on his way to his Crucifixion.
The opera introduces many legendary characters, following medieval and other myths, including Faust, Mephistopheles, Kundry and Wotan.
Underneath its surface lies a structure relating to the annual cycle of Jewish and Christian festivals in eight scenes of sweeping orchestral and choral music, enhanced by studio post production from Antony Pitts.
Scene 1, Part 1: A Nazi Death Camp During World War II
Scene 1, Part 2: Flashback To Jerusalem, 70ad
Interlude
Scene 2: The Desert At Night
Interlude
Scene 3, Part 1: The Synagogue, Cordoba, Spain, 11th Century
Scene 3, Part 2: The Ballad Of The Wandering Jew
Scene 3, Part 3: An Olive Grove At Night
Interlude
Scene 4: Auerbach's Cellar, Leipzig, 16th Century
Interlude
Scene 5, Part 1: Wild Terrain - Odin's Rebirth
Scene 5, Part 2: Odin's Three Cries
Interlude
Scene 6, Part 1: Venice - Carnival, Early 18th Century
Scene 6, Part 2: Venice - The Wandering Jew Encounters The Beggar/Jesus
Scene 6, Part 3: The Wandering Jew's Arioso
Scene 6, Part 4: The Wandering Jew Passes Through The Carnival
Scene 6, Part V: Roll up, roll up … (Showman, Crowd, Wandering Jew)
Scene 6: Interlude
Scene 7: Having had a narrow escape from the angry (Wandering Jew, Beggar, Jesus, Chorus of Spirits)
Scene 7: Interlude
Scene 8: Daybreak, the sand grows warm (Wandering Jew, Angels of Conscience)
Scene 6, Part 5: The Mystery Play
Interlude: Whirling Through Time
Scene 7: The World War II Death Camp
Interlude
Scene 8: The Desert In Daylight
11th June 2011
*****
“This project blew me away...Saxton’s tonal (or modal) musical language ranges from the cinematic spectacular to rapt spirituality. And the piece is compellingly delivered by a strong cast led by Roderick Williams as the Jew. Saxton calls it a “radio opera”. That’s too pessimistic. It deserves staging.”
16th June 2011
***
“Musically, some of the score is striking, its modality very different from the style of Saxton's earlier works...The performance... is first rate; it's a major undertaking that has been realised with great care.”
September 2011
****
“There's a hint of Wagnerian majesty in the [Odin] scene, otherwise the shadow of Britten lies long over the music, not only in the shape of the melodic lines, but also in the clarity of the orchestration. Baritone Roderick Williams is impressive in the title role...and all the smaller parts are well filled.”
14th August 2011
“The score, often tonal but employing ethereal electronic techniques, is delicately coloured and lyrical, more meditation than opera...As the narrator mourns the lawless revellers and surveys total devastation and "the Temple flames" which "herald no dawn", this heartfelt work takes on new urgency.”
October 2011
“Roderick Williams bring his customary authority and insight...The BBC Singers acquit their solo and choral roles with conviction, while Andre de Ridder secures playing of clarity and refinement from the BBC Symphony Orchestra...A near-exemplary presentation of the work that offers much of substance in its treatment of an age-old yet continually relevant narrative, and which anyone at all interested in English-language opera needs to hear.”
Scene 1, Part 1: A Nazi Death Camp During World War II
