Organization

Pianist

Kelvin Lim

Stage director

Nick Fowler

Singer

Mezzo-soprano

Flora McIntosh

Yelena

Baritone

Pauls Putnins

Grigory

Bass-baritone

Lukas

Opera Cameratina

The Bear

Sherborne

United Kingdom

The Bear Walton

Public

Approved

Walton began composing the opera in 1965, as a result of a commission from the
Koussevitzsky Foundation in 1958. Composition was interrupted by a diagnosis of
cancer and subsequent radiation treatment, and the opera was finally premiered at
the Jubilee Hall as part of the 1967 Aldeburgh Festival.
Unlike Troilus and Cressida (1954) before it, The Bear was an immediate success.
Walton brings a lightness of touch but also romantic lushness to the piece. He and
his librettist adapt what is undeniably one of Chekhov’s lighter tales, but still with
that characteristic Chekhovian mix of the comic, the tragic and the banality of
everyday existence.

English

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew