'The ancient and contemporary collide to dazzling effect in this world premiere.
'The Epic of Gilgamesh is humanity’s oldest written epic poem. Emerging from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, it tells of a restless young king who, through experiences of love and loss, becomes a better person. His unexpected love for a half-man, half-animal leads him wide-eyed into mysterious realms.
'Gilgamesh’s story sings to us across millennia, and this brand-new opera uncovers all that remains strikingly relevant: its approach to mortality, sexuality and our relationship with nature. This is the first opera in English based upon this foundational part of civilisation.'
Source: Opera Australia.
Presented by Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera and Carriageworks in association with Australian String Quartet and Ensemble Offspring, at Carriageworks, 26 September - 5 October 2024.
Conductor: Jack Symonds.
Director: Kip Williams.
Set and Costume Designer: Elizabeth Gadsby.
Lighting Designer: Amelia Lever Davidson.
Electronics and Sound Designer: Benjamin Carey.
Cast: Jeremy Kleeman (Gilgamesh), Mitchell Riley (Enkidu), Jane Sheldon (Ishtar/Scorpion), Jessica O'Donoghue (Shamhat/Uta-Napishti/Scorpion), and Daneil Szesiong Todd (Humbaba/Ur-Shanabi).