Written on Skin: Opera in Three Parts

Following the enormous success of George Benjamin's first opera Into the Little Hill (2006), there has been huge anticipation in the musical world at the prospect of his first full-length work in this genre. After a period of intense work and isolation for Benjamin, his much-awaited new opera, Written on Skin, was premiered at the Aix-en-Provence Festival on July 7, 2012. A long standing ovation was the first of many marks of recognition and praise for this extraordinary work which has been hailed by critics as "[one of] the best operas of the 21st century so far," and "the birth of a masterpiece." The opera is scored for 60 players, lasts 95 minutes, and has a cast of five.