Thommessen: The Hermaphrodite

As a period piece it’s great fun, and this performance by the Oslo Sinfonietta under Christian Eggen is impressive: committed and energetic, with ultra-focused playing, vivid drama in the pacing... — The Guardian, 2nd February 2017, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 13th Jan 2017
Catalogue No: ACD5049
Label: Aurora
Length: 1 hour 43 minutes

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Thommessen: Det hemmelige evangelium / The Secret Gospel: Oppvåkningen / The Awakening

Work length12:56

Oslo Sinfonietta
Christian Eggen

Thommessen: Hermafroditten / The Hermaphrodite

Work length33:08

Oslo Sinfonietta
Christian Eggen

Erkjennelsen / The Confession

Track length9:08

Angrepet / The Attack

Track length4:27

Begjæret / Desire

Track length5:29

Drømmen / The Dream

Track length6:42

Søvnen / The Sleep

Track length4:19

Epilog

Track length3:03

Thommessen: Et konsertkammer / A Concert Chamber: Marerittet / Bad Dream

Work length8:34

Oslo Sinfonietta
Christian Eggen

Thommessen: Gjensidig / Mutually: Innsikten / Insight

Work length7:05

Oslo Sinfonietta
Christian Eggen

Thommessen: Ekko av et ekko / Echo of an Echo: Møtet / The Meeting

Work length16:39

Oslo Sinfonietta
Christian Eggen

Thommessen: Overtonen / The Overtone: Kjærligheten / Love

Work length12:39

Oslo Sinfonietta
Christian Eggen

Thommessen: Maldoror: Orgien / The Orgy

Work length12:58

Oslo Sinfonietta
Christian Eggen

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About

The chamber opera ‘The Hermaphrodite’ was composed by Olav Anton Thommessen between 1970-1980 and consists of seven independent chamber works which, when performed in succession, comprise a compelling scenic whole.

In a sense the opera is an allegory on the awakening sexuality in man and the meeting between its masculine and feminine aspects. Using texts by D H Lawrence and Isidore Ducasse and from The Secret Gospel of Mark, it was conceived as as a ballet-opera and requires six soloists, two actors, dancers and a chamber ensemble. Now, 40 years after its part premiere in 1976, the complete opera is finally released on CD.

The Oslo Sinfonietta performs ‘The Hermaphrodite’ under its chief conductor and artistic leader Christian Eggen. Consisting of leading freelance musicians and members from some of Norway´s most prominent orchestras, the ensemble has the quality and flexibility demanded by a modern repertoire. They are joined by a dream team of soloists: Eir Inderhaug (recitation, soprano), Isa Katharina Gericke (soprano), Anna Elisabeth Einarsson (mezzo-soprano), Nils Harald Sodal (recitation, tenor), Espen Fegran (baritone) and Ketil Hugaas (bass).

As a central figure in Norwegian musical life, composer Olav Anton Thommessen (born 1946) has throughout his career made an impressive contribution to the acknowledgment of newer forms of music, either through his occasional radical musical language, his capabilities to discover new views on the musical process through his tuition, or as a debater on the position of music and art in society as a whole.

Reviews

2nd February 2017

As a period piece it’s great fun, and this performance by the Oslo Sinfonietta under Christian Eggen is impressive: committed and energetic, with ultra-focused playing, vivid drama in the pacing and spacing (the recording sounds 3D), elastic singing and some virtuosic heavy breathing from soprano Eir Inderhaug and the rest of the cast.

Thommessen: The Hermaphrodite

2 CDs

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