Slow Man (opera)

Slow Man is an opera by Nicholas Lens to an English-language libretto by J. M. Coetzee, based on his 2005 novel of the same name. The opera was commissioned by the Malta Festival, Poznań and produced by the Opera Poznań.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

It is the first time author and Nobel Prize winner Coetzee has collaborated on a stage adaptation of his work.

Although the operatic version differs from the original story, Slow Man is a contemporary opera that arouses deep emotions among each of the original main characters: Paul Rayment, Elizabeth Costello and Marijana. The opera is centered on a meeting arranged by Elizabeth Costello (the writer) between Paul Rayment, a man of late middle-age with an amputated leg and the blind Marijana. The meeting has not only a strong sexual connotation but themes as love, isolation, old age, and fear of demise are prevalent.^[6][7][8]

J. Roszak in Biweekly described Slow Man as a ‘high risk opera’ but also as 'an important operatic work'.^[9]

First performances

The opera was given its world premiere on 5 July 2012 at Opera Poznań

• I. Pain is nothing: Senza misura- Tempo comodo con una tensione latente e molto misterioso - Adagio con un sentimento inquieto - Pesante ma non troppo - Rassegnazione ma con una tensione latente - Tempo comodo con un sentimento inquieto - Attaco di sorpresa! Caos totale - Adagio con un sentimento inquieto - Piu Pesante e Furioso
• II. My name is Elisabeth Costello: Con ritmo tranquillo - Cantabile drammatico - Danza assurda - Con grazia regale molto solenne
• III. I felt sad: Largo con desiderio di morte - Con una grande tensione latente -
• IV. I will be with you a while yet: Quasi Grave ma con una grande tensione latente
• V. Do you remember the woman?: Con ritmo leggiero - Deciso, furioso, quasi alla marcia - Con ritmo tranquillo quasi come un reggae jamaicano
• VI. Marianna is quite a woman: Danza energica assurda furiosa - Molto selvaggio et clownesco - Lento doloroso
• VII. A blind woman: Largo con un sentimento inquieto
• VIII. I will be a model guest: Andante macabro - Adagio grave - Allargando ma con una grande tensione latente - Adagio grave
• IX. Danza protrusiva macabra: Intenso con una grande tensione latente - Agitato e con tono aggressivo
• X. Marianna, I know that is your name: Meno mosso ma con una tensione latente
• XI. The danza of the halt and the blind: Meno mosso
• XII. She said that you were lonely: Andante con una tensione latente - Rispettoso ma con un sentimento inquieto -Andante con una tensione latente
• XIII. Coïtus with a stranger: Adagio grave - Lento doloroso
• XIV. What did she tell her?: Quasi alla marcia e lugubre
• XV. There was something: Largo con un sentimento inquieto
• XVI. Should I abandon you?: Largo con desiderio di morte (solemne e misterioso)
• XVII. Such a small fish: Andante maestoso - Grave ma con un sentimento inquieto - Caoticamente
• XIX. Someone to close our eyes for us: Con tristezza poetica - Liberamente - Molto violente e spaventoso - Liberamente(a bene placido)[18]

References