Szymanowski’s Surreal Opera King Roger Opens Tonight

Lush with exotic melodies and rich harmonies, Karol Szymanowski’s opera King Roger takes you into the sub-conscious as you explore the mind of the king. Michael Honeyman sinds the title role in this Kasper Holten production presented by Opera Australia and opening tonight in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu reprises his role as Shepherd after his premiere in the role at the Royal Opera Covent Garden, and Lorina Gore sings the role of Roxana.

King Roger is performed on selected dates from January 20 to February 2017.

Check out these six surreal images courtesy Opera Australia.

King Roger
Lorina Gore as Roxana, Michael Honeyman as King Roger and Saimir Pirgu as Shepherd in Opera Australia’s King Roger. Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Saimir Pirgu as Shepherd in Opera Australia’s King Roger. Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Saimir Pirgu as Shepherd in Opera Australia’s King Roger.
Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Lorina Gore as Roxana in Opera Australia’s King Roger. Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Lorina Gore as Roxana in Opera Australia’s King Roger.
Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Saimir Pirgu as Shepherd, the Opera Australia Chorus and dancers in Opera Australia’s King Roger. Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Saimir Pirgu as Shepherd, the Opera Australia Chorus and dancers in Opera Australia’s King Roger.
Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Gennadi Dubinsky as Archiereios, Michael Honeyman as King Roger and Dominica Matthews as Deaconess in Opera Australia’s King Roger. Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Gennadi Dubinsky as Archiereios, Michael Honeyman as King Roger and Dominica Matthews as Deaconess in Opera Australia’s King Roger.
Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Saimir Pirgu as Shepherd, Lorina Gore as Roxana, the Opera Australia Chorus and dancers in Opera Australia’s King Roger. Photo credit: Keith Saunders
Saimir Pirgu as Shepherd, Lorina Gore as Roxana, the Opera Australia Chorus and dancers in Opera Australia’s King Roger.
Photo credit: Keith Saunders

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