The Little Sweep
Benjamin Britten
New production.
Opera for children in three scenes.
Libretto by Eric Crozier. Premiered on June 14, 1949 at the Aldeburgh Festival in England.
Infos
Illkirch-Graffenstaden
L’Illiade
Colmar
Théâtre municipal de Colmar
Mulhouse
La Sinne
No intermission.
Cast
Direction musicale Sandrine Abello Mise en scène Johanna Boyé Décors Caroline Mexme Costumes Alice Trouvet Lumières Cyril Manetta Opéra Studio de l’Opéra national du Rhin, Maîtrise de l’Opéra national du Rhin
Artists
Rowan Jessica Hopkins Miss Bagotte Lucy Evans Clem, Alfred Arwen Tanguy Black Bob, Tom Eduard Ferenczi Gurban Pianos Vinicius Costa, Anaëlle Reitan
Presentation
Sam, a young apprentice chimney sweep, is harshly treated by his employers. When he gets stuck while climbing a chimney at Iken Hall, the household children come to his rescue. Together, they hatch a plan to help him break free from his grim existence and become part of their family. In crafting this opera, Benjamin Britten honors every child forced to labor in brutal conditions cleaning chimneys during the Industrial Revolution. He weaves a powerful tale of emancipation, in which the collective intelligence and determination of these children to protect Sam’s innocence shines brightly.
This opera places the children’s voices at the heart of a vibrant atmosphere filled with infectious joy and kindness. At the Opéra national du Rhin, under the baton of Sandrine Abello, students from the Maîtrise and music classes of two Strasbourg schools bring this tale of unity to life, alongside soloists from the Opéra Studio. Director Johanna Boyé, fresh off winning the Molière Award for Best Show for Young People, brings her distinctive vision to the stage.
In French.
