The Scarlet Princess (2002)

The Scarlet Princess is an adaptation of the 17th Century Kabuki play, The Scarlet Princess of Edo.

Setting the tone for the entire opera is the opening, a storm scene in which a monk and his male acolyte vow their undying love for each other before committing suicide by leaping off a cliff. However, the monk loses his courage, and as the boy, Shiragiju falls, he sings a death aria and curses the monk, Seigen. The opera is the sensuous and erotic tale of reincarnation, obsessive love, demonic possession, revenge, murder and redemption. It is populated by a colourful cast of imperial figures, nuns, monks, villagers, outcasts, prostitutes, johns, ghosts and demons.

Canadian Opera Company, 2002

Artists:

• Conductor - Richard Pittman
• Sakura - Valdine Anderson, soprano
• Seigen - David Pomeroy, tenor
• Hanjuro - Doug MacNaughton, baritone