Organization

Aldeburgh Festival

Stage director

Sarah Fahie

Lighting designer

Adam Silverman

Set designer

Hyemi Shin

Costume designer

Nicky Gillibrand

Assistant Director

Madeleine Brooks

Singer

Tenor

Karim Sulayman

Charles Byrne

Mezzo-soprano

Gweneth Ann Rand

Mr. Rooker

Baritone

Jonathan Gunthorpe

John Hunter

Soprano

Héloïse Werner

Madame Duval

Contralto

Melanie Pappenheim

Sister Mary

Ben Smith

Keyboard

Repetiteur

Ian Shaw

Stephen Hiscock

Percussion

Luciana Elizondo

Viola de gamba

Olwen Foulkes

Recorder

Miguel Sobrinho

Viola

Jack Greed

Violin

Tiago Soares Silva

Actor

Steven Beard

Howison

Britten Pears Arts

Sound designer

Sarah Angliss

Giant

Snape

United Kingdom

Hoffmann Building (Snape Maltings)

Britten Studio

Public

Private

Approved

A brand-new opera from visionary composer Sarah Angliss, telling the story of the 18th-century “Irish giant” who was betrayed in the name of science.

“First do no harm”, every doctor says. But what happens when a patient’s body is so extraordinary, his corpse becomes an object of desire – a trophy? Giant tells the true tale of surgeon John Hunter and his obsession with Charles Byrne – a man he would ultimately betray in one of the most disturbing acts in the era of the grave robbers.

Written for five voices, Giant uses 18th-century instruments, live electronics and bespoke music machines as it vividly recalls the events surrounding Byrne’s death: an extraordinary story that resonates through the ages.

Giant is a new opera from composer Sarah Angliss, poet Ross Sutherland and director Sarah Fahie.

World Premiere, Friday 09 June at 7.30pm, preceded by a talk with Sarah Angliss. There will be a second performance on Saturday at 3.30pm.

English

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Co-Producer