1931151628867664953.jpg
Photograph courtesy of Library of Congress
Fly Away Peter single work   musical theatre   opera  
Adaptation of Fly Away Peter David Malouf , 1982 single work novella
Issue Details: First known date: 2015... 2015 Fly Away Peter
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'David Malouf’s novel Fly Away Peter is a contemporary classic. Elliott Gyger is an Australian composer at the height of his powers. They return to World War One in this centenary year to create a profound new contribution to Australian opera, with a libretto by SCO’s Pierce Wilcox.

'Jim Saddler is a visionary young birdwatcher thrust into the nightmare of the Western Front. Fly Away Peter travels from a land of life to a panorama of horror through Jim’s voice of delicate insight.

'This is a story of the Australian spirit that begins at peace, builds into tragedy, and ends in transcendence.' (Production summary)

Production Details

  • World premiere 2-9 May 2015. Presented by Carriageworks and Sydney Chamber

    Conductor

    Jack Symonds

    Director

    Imara Savage

    Set & Costume Design

    Elizabeth Gadsby

    Lighting Design

    Verity Hampson

    With

    Mitchell Riley, Jessica Aszodi, Brenton Spiteri

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2015
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

Traces of Birdsong in Elliott Gyger's Opera Fly Away Peter Michael Hooper , 2016 single work essay
— Appears in: Southerly , August vol. 76 no. 1 2016; (p. 169-184) 'The sound of the sea captive in the seashell does not disquiet us. On the contrary, it reassures us, comforts us. It speaks of permanence and tranquillity, whereas the mysterious sound by the shore reveals nothing. In fact, such a sound indicates no origin, and leads nowhere: it is a sound that has no place, or one that simply has not taken place. The inexplicable sound occupies space and dissipates without leaving a trace - apart, perhaps, from the disquiet we feel when we observe that there is no trace. (Bonnet, 2016: 4; itals in original).' (Publication abstract)
Fly Away Peter Review (Carriageworks, Sydney) Benjamin Neutze , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: Daily Review , 5 May 2015;
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre '...CO’s latest world premiere, an adaptation of David Malouf’s 1982 novel Fly Away Peter, is a work of dramatic and musical integrity which manages to, in moments, tug at the heartstrings as well as any of the great classic tragic operas. The opera follows Jim Saddler (Mitchell Riley), a birdwatcher from the Gold Coast, as he enlists in the army and travels to the Western front during World War I...'
[Review] Fly Away Peter Ian Dickson , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: ABR : Arts 2015; Australian Book Review , June-July no. 372 2015; (p. 39)
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre
Fly Away Peter on the Opera Stage Is a Masterful Adaptation Michael Halliwell , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 4 May 2015;
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre
Opera Based on Malouf Explores Ravages of War Murray Black , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 4 May 2015; (p. 17)
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre
Small Opera Company Leads Way Andrew Taylor , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 17 March 2015; (p. 16)
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre 'A classic David Malouf World War I novel comes to the stage, writes Andrew Taylor .'
Birdwatcher’s Resonant Song Hangs in the Air Harriet Cunningham , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4 May 2015; (p. 11)
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre
Opera Based on Malouf Explores Ravages of War Murray Black , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 4 May 2015; (p. 17)
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre
Fly Away Peter on the Opera Stage Is a Masterful Adaptation Michael Halliwell , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 4 May 2015;
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre
[Review] Fly Away Peter Ian Dickson , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: ABR : Arts 2015; Australian Book Review , June-July no. 372 2015; (p. 39)
— Review of Fly Away Peter Pierce Wilcox , 2015 single work musical theatre
New Opera in Australia : It's Not Over Till Senator Brandis Sings Steve Dow , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 19 March 2015; 'It’s hard enough to mount an Australian opera, let alone revive one. Ahead of the findings of the national opera review, we hear from the rabbits and the riders.'
A Tale Takes Wing David Malouf , 2015 single work essay
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 April 2015; (p. 12-13)
Traces of Birdsong in Elliott Gyger's Opera Fly Away Peter Michael Hooper , 2016 single work essay
— Appears in: Southerly , August vol. 76 no. 1 2016; (p. 169-184) 'The sound of the sea captive in the seashell does not disquiet us. On the contrary, it reassures us, comforts us. It speaks of permanence and tranquillity, whereas the mysterious sound by the shore reveals nothing. In fact, such a sound indicates no origin, and leads nowhere: it is a sound that has no place, or one that simply has not taken place. The inexplicable sound occupies space and dissipates without leaving a trace - apart, perhaps, from the disquiet we feel when we observe that there is no trace. (Bonnet, 2016: 4; itals in original).' (Publication abstract)
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (9)

Awards

VIEW ALL AWARDS (1)
Last amended 21 Jun 2016 07:44:50
Subjects:
Newspapers:
    Powered by Trove
    X