Batavia (opera)

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Batavia is an opera in three acts and a prologue by Richard Mills to a libretto by Peter Goldsworthy, commissioned by Opera Australia. The plot is based on the historical events surrounding the Dutch sailing vessel Batavia's 1629 sinking and massacre of the shipwreck survivors.

The opera premiered on 11 May 2001 at the State Theatre (Melbourne) for the Centenary of Federation Festival. It received three Helpmann Awards and six Green Room Awards. The work lasts for about three hours and ten minutes with one interval. The CD recording was captured at the State Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, on the 11 & 13 May 2001. [1] [2]

RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 11 May 2001
Conductor: Richard Mills
Francis Pelsaert, commander bass Bruce Martin
Gijsbert Bastiensz, preacher baritone John Bolton-Wood
Wiebbe Hayes, provost tenor Barry Ryan
Jeronimus Cornelisz, undermerchantbaritoneMichael Lewis
Conraat van Huyssen, nobleman/company cadettenorJamie Allen
Lucretia Jansz soprano Anke Höppner
Zwaantie Hendricx, Lucretia's maidsoprano Emma Matthews
Maria Bastiensz, the preacher's wife mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Campbell
HenchmantenorJames Egglestone
Judit, the preacher's daughtersopranoJoanne Blankfield
Willem, Judit's younger brother boy soprano Bill Dodd
Caspar, Wiebbe Hayes' sonboy sopranoMark Casey
Bessel, Wiebbe Hayes' sonboy sopranoChristopher Toohey
Director Lindy Hume
DesignDan Potra
LightingRory Dempster
Chorus

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References

  1. "Australian Music Centre Catalogue". Australian Music Centre. Archived from the original on May 14, 2004. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  2. Opera Australia (2006). "Batavia". Archived from the original on 2006-10-10. Retrieved 2007-09-11.

Cohn, Neville (2004). "Batavia (A review)". OZartsreview. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2007-09-11.

For a synopsis and review of the Melbourne premiere performance, see

For a synopsis and review of the Perth performance, see

For Bruce Martin's reflections on creating the role of Francisco Pelsaert, see