Opera
New York City Opera's Powder Her Face
Composed by Thomas Adés
Conducted by Jonathan Stockhammer
Directed by Jay Scheib
Inspired by the real-life sex scandal that rocked Britain in the
early 60s, English composer Thomas Adès' 1995 chamber opera returns
to BAM 15 years after its New York premiere at the BAM Majestic
Theater (now the BAM Harvey Theater). In this new production
from New York City Opera, director Jay Scheib presents his
genre-defying vision, integrating technology and daring physicality
to this modern opera that plays off the public's obsession with the
tabloid controversy surrounding a series of Polaroid photos of
Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll, dubbed the “Dirty Duchess.”
Through the prism of Campbell’s life story, and featuring Phillip
Hensher's libretto, Powder Her Face explores the
intersection of gender, politics, and power.
The "phenomenal" (Il Giorno) British mezzo-soprano
Allison Cook makes her US debut as the Duchess; Matt Boehler, "a
bass with an attitude and the goods to back it up" (The New
York Times), has his company debut as the Hotel Manager;
"sterling tenor" (American Theater) William Ferguson
returns to New York City Opera as the Electrician; and coloratura
soprano Nili Riemer makes her company debut as the Maid.
Allison Cook* (Duchess)
Nili Riemer* (Maid)
William Ferguson (Electrician)
Matt Boehler* (Hotel Manager)
*New York City Opera debut
Sets by Marsha Ginsberg
Costumes by Alba Clemente
Lighting by Thomas Dunn
Projections by Josh Higgason
This rental event is not presented by BAM. Regular BAM house and ticketing policies may not apply.
New York City Opera closes its BAM residency with Benjamin Britten’s 1954 chamber opera, marking the centennial of the British composer.