Opera in One Acts | 70 minutes Libretto by April de Angelis
2S.Contralto.T.Bbar 1(Picc).1.1.Sax(Alt).1 - 2.2.1+Btbn.0 - Perc - Hp - 0.0.0.0.1
Overview
A tale within a tale, The Day After follows a group of survivors in a post-Apocalyptic world as they retell the story of their preceding catastrophe. The characters' dramatisation sets the myth of Phaeton who, in searching for his sun god father Phoebus, loses himself in the role of impetuous youth and fancies himself as a god. Riding his father's sun chariot across the sky, Phaeton ultimately stretches his capabilities, bringing the scorching sun crashing down to Earth.
Written specifically to be performed outside, Holland Opera's premiere of The Day After delivered a spectacle of fire, circus theatre, dancers and a 14-piece brass ensemble. English National Opera premiered a new version with additional SATB choir in 2017.
Commissioned by Holland Opera with assistance from the Eduard van Beinun Foundation
Holland Opera, Netherlands, 29 June 2015 English National Opera, UK, May 2017 (choral version) Royal Conservatoire of Scotland,UK, March 2018 English National Opera, UK, April to June 2020
