The End of the Affair • 2004
Libretto by Heather McDonald
Revised Libretto by Heather McDonald, Leonard Foglia and Jake Heggie
Based on the novel by Graham Greene, by kind permission of the Estate of Graham Greene
Opera in two acts
World Premiere: March 4, 2004
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera, Madison Opera, and Opera Pacific
Duration: 2 hours
About
Set in London during and just after World War II, the opera tells the story of a writer involved in an illicit love affair with the wife of a public servant. During one of their trysts, an air raid occurs; a bomb explodes that destroys the house and knocks him unconscious. When he comes to, she leaves abruptly and vows never to see him again. Obsessed, jealous and angry, he sets upon a journey to discover what happened and why he was abandoned that day.
“A deep, satisfying vividness and strength, painting and punctuating the drama with striking musical gestures and conjuring imaginative splashes of color … Heggie has a solid success on his hands.
Premiere Cast & Creative Team
Conductor: Patrick Summers
Production: Leonard Foglia
Set designer: Michael McGarty
Costume Designer: Jess Goldstein
Lighting Designer: Donald Holder
Sarah: Cheryl Barker
Maurice Bendrix: Teddy Tahu Rhodes
Henry: Peter Coleman-Wright
Mrs. Bertram: Katherine Ciesinski
Smythe: Joseph Evans
Parkis: Robert Orth