Current Opera: Sāvitri

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HGO brings live opera back to London with an open-air, socially-distanced production of Gustav Holst’s Sāvitri , a tale of life, death, illusion and hope powerfully resonant with our times. HGO is dedicated to supporting singers at the start of their careers – they will lead the return of vibrant opera to the capital.

The open-air production of this one-act opera will take place,  in accordance with government regulations, in the gardens of Lauderdale House, Highgate, with two performances per evening (at 18:30 and 20:00) on  each of Thursday 13th, Saturday 15, Thursday 20th and and Saturday 22nd August –

This will be a complete performance of the opera, which lasts about 35 minutes.

The production is staged by  Julia Mintzer, and conducted by Thomas Payne.

 Sāvitri is told by Death that her husband Satyavān is about to die. When he returns from his day’s work in the forest he collapses. Death now offers Sāvitri a wish, and she asks for ‘Life’. Death agrees, but Sāvitri then points out that life for her is indivisible from her husband’s life. Death has been tricked and admits defeat. Satyavān revives: even death, like life, is ‘Māyā’ – illusion.