Marilyn Forever (chamber opera)
October 6, 2013

Marilyn Forever – music by Gavin Bryars; libretto by Marilyn Bowering

On September 13 and 14 my new opera was premiered at the MacPherson Playhouse, Victoria BC, Canada. It was produced by Aventa and conducted by Bill LInwood, Aventa’s director. It was a huge success and the performances were terrific. Eivør Palsdottir was sensational as Marilyn and Thomas Sandberg performed beautifully the multifacetted role of the man (who becomes the varioous men in Marilyn’s life). I got to play bass in the on-stage jazz trio, with two great players pianist Tony Genge and tenor sax Phil Dwyer, whose solos were exquisite. The staging by Joel Ivany was intelligent and insightful and the whole production was very beautiful (wonderful lighting by Kevin Lamotte). I attach photos and links to previews and reviews, one of which – by Deryk Barker – pointed out the moment, probably unique in the history of all opera, when the first person to make an entrance on stage at the very beginning of the opera is the composer (as bass player)!

Here are two previews and two reviews:

https://focusonline.ca/?q=node/579 

https://www.vicnews.com/neighbourhoods/west_shore/220592491.html

https://www.islandnet.com/miv/reviews/r2013-09-13-dgrb.html

https://www.charpo-canada.com/2013/09/review-victoria-marilyn-forever.html 

 

Gavin Bryars