Da gelo a gelo explained

Da gelo a gelo
Composer:Salvatore Sciarrino
Translated Name:
  • From one frost to the next
  • Kälte
Librettist:Sciarrino
Language:Italian
Based On:65 poems by Izumi Shikibu
Premiere Date: (in German)
Premiere Location:Schlosstheater Schwetzingen

Da gelo a gelo ("From one frost to the next") is an opera in 100 scenes (some lasting as little as 3') by Salvatore Sciarrino. The composer's Italian libretto is based on one year (1002–03) and 65 poems from the journal of Izumi Shikibu encompassing her affair with Prince Atsumishi.

The opera was a co-commission of the Schwetzingen Festival, the Grand Théâtre de Genève and the Opéra National de Paris and premiered in the Schlosstheater Schwetzingen under the German title Kälte on 21 May 2006. The choreography for the singers by Trisha Brown was retained for the 2007 Paris production at the Palais Garnier. The piece lasts 110 minutes.

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere Cast
(Conductor: Tito Ceccherini)
Izumi soprano Anna Radziejewska
The Prince's nurse/ Izumi's maidmezzo-sopranoUlrike Mayer
Izumi's page contraltino Felix Uehlein
The Prince's page counter-tenor Michael Hofmeister
The Prince baritone Otto Katzameier

Instrumentation

The instrumentation is S, Ms, 2 Ct, Bar / 3 (II Fl.c in Sol, III Fl.b). 3 (III C.i). 3 (III Cl.b). 2 / 2. 3. 2. -. / Perc / strings (min. 10. 8. 6. 4. 4.)

External links