Satyagraha (opera): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Opera by Philip Glass}}
{{Short description|1980 opera by Philip Glass}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox opera  
{{Infobox opera  
| name              = Satyagraha
| name              = Satyagraha
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| caption          = The composer in 1993
| caption          = The composer in 1993
| librettist        = {{plainlist|
| librettist        = {{plainlist|
* Glass
* [[Philip Glass]]
* [[Constance DeJong (writer)|Constance DeJong]]
* [[Constance DeJong (writer)|Constance DeJong]]
}}
}}
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| premiere_location = {{ill|Schouwburg Rotterdam|nl|Rotterdamse Schouwburg|lt=Schouwburg}}
| premiere_location = {{ill|Schouwburg Rotterdam|nl|Rotterdamse Schouwburg|lt=Schouwburg}}
}}
}}
'''''Satyagraha''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɑː|t|j|ə|'|ɡ|r|ɑː|h|ɑː}}; [[Sanskrit]] सत्याग्रह, ''satyāgraha'' "insistence on truth") is a 1979 [[opera]] in three acts for orchestra, chorus and soloists, composed by [[Philip Glass]], with a [[libretto]] by Glass and [[Constance DeJong (writer)|Constance DeJong]].
'''''Satyagraha''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɑː|t|j|ə|'|ɡ|r|ɑː|h|ɑː}}; [[Sanskrit]] सत्याग्रह, ''satyāgraha'' "insistence on truth") is a 1980 [[opera]] in three acts for orchestra, chorus and soloists, composed by [[Philip Glass]], with a [[libretto]] by Glass and [[Constance DeJong (writer)|Constance DeJong]].


Loosely based on the life of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], it forms the second part of Glass's "Portrait Trilogy" of operas about men who changed the world, which also includes ''[[Einstein on the Beach]]'' and ''[[Akhnaten (opera)|Akhnaten]]''.
Loosely based on the life of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], it forms the second part of Glass's "Portrait Trilogy" of operas about men who changed the world, which also includes ''[[Einstein on the Beach]]'' and ''[[Akhnaten (opera)|Akhnaten]]''.


Glass's style can broadly be described as [[minimalist music|minimalist]]. The work is scored for 2 [[soprano]]s, 2 [[mezzo-soprano]]s, 2 [[tenor]]s, a [[baritone]], 2 [[bass (voice type)|basses]], a large [[SATB]] chorus, and an orchestra of [[string section|strings]] and [[woodwinds]] only, no [[Brass instrument|brass]] or [[percussion]]. Principal roles are [[Sonja Schlesin]], Mahatma Gandhi, [[Hermann Kallenbach]] and [[Parsee Rustomjee|Parsi Rustomji]].
Glass's style can broadly be described as [[minimalist music|minimalist]]. The work is scored for 2 [[soprano]]s, 2 [[mezzo-soprano]]s, 2 [[tenor]]s, a [[baritone]], 2 [[bass (voice type)|basses]], a large [[SATB]] chorus, and an orchestra of [[string section|strings]] and [[woodwinds]] only, no [[Brass instrument|brass]] or [[percussion]]. Principal roles are [[Sonja Schlesin]], Mahatma Gandhi, [[Hermann Kallenbach]] and [[Parsee Rustomjee|Parsi Rustomji]].


The title refers to Gandhi's concept of [[nonviolent]] resistance to injustice, [[Satyagraha]], and the text, from the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', is sung in the original Sanskrit. In performance, translation is usually provided in [[supertitles]].
The title refers to Gandhi's concept of [[nonviolent]] resistance to injustice, [[satyagraha]], and the text, from the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', is sung in the original [[Sanskrit]]. In performance, translation is usually provided in [[supertitles]].
 
==Roles==
{| class="wikitable"
!Role
!Voice type
 
|-
|M. K. Gandhi
|[[tenor]]
 
|-
|Lord Krishna
|[[Bass (voice type)|bass]]
 
|-
|Parsi Rustomji
|[[Bass (voice type)|bass]]
 
|-
|Mrs Alexander
|[[mezzo-soprano]]
 
|-
|Mrs Naidoo
|[[soprano]]
 
|-
|Kasturbai
|[[mezzo-soprano]]
 
|-
|Mrs Schlesen
|[[soprano]]
 
|-
|Mr. Kallenbach
|[[baritone]]
 
|-
|Prince Arjuna
|[[baritone]]
|}


==Performance history==
==Performance history==
[[File:Gandhi in Berlin (Satyagraha).jpg|thumb|Gandhi in Berlin, performed 25 October 2017]]
''Satyagraha'' was commissioned by the city of [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands, and first performed at the {{ill|Schouwburg Rotterdam|nl|Rotterdamse Schouwburg|lt=Schouwburg}} (Municipal Theatre) there on September 5, 1980, by the [[Netherlands Opera]], featuring the choir of the [[Rotterdam Conservatory]] and the {{ill|Utrecht Symphony Orchestra|nl|Utrechts Symfonie Orkest}}, conducted by {{ill|Bruce Ferden|de}}.<ref>[http://philipglass.com/compositions/satyagraha/ ''Satyagraha''], philipglass.com</ref>
''Satyagraha'' was commissioned by the city of [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands, and first performed at the {{ill|Schouwburg Rotterdam|nl|Rotterdamse Schouwburg|lt=Schouwburg}} (Municipal Theatre) there on September 5, 1980, by the [[Netherlands Opera]], featuring the choir of the [[Rotterdam Conservatory]] and the {{ill|Utrecht Symphony Orchestra|nl|Utrechts Symfonie Orkest}}, conducted by {{ill|Bruce Ferden|de}}.<ref>[http://philipglass.com/compositions/satyagraha/ ''Satyagraha''], philipglass.com</ref>


The opera premiered in North America at the [[Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park|Artpark]] in [[Lewiston (town), New York|Lewiston]], New York, on July 29, 1981. That production was mounted later that year at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/09/arts/opera-satyagraha-tale-of-ghandi-in-brooklyn.html Donal Henahan, "'Satyagraha,' Tale of Ghandi, in Brooklyn," New York Times, November 9, 1981.]</ref>  The opera was also staged that same year by the [[Stuttgart Opera]] (which went on to perform the complete trilogy in 1990); this production was taped during its revival in 1983 and released on video.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/255555/Philip-Glass-Satyagraha/overview | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414231225/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/255555/Philip-Glass-Satyagraha/overview | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 14, 2008 | accessdate=May 23, 2010 | department=Movies & TV Dept. | work=[[The New York Times]] | author=Mark Deming | date=2008 | title=Movies: About Philip Glass: ''Satyagraha''}}</ref>
The opera premiered in North America at the [[Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park|Artpark]] in [[Lewiston (town), New York|Lewiston]], New York, on July 29, 1981. That production was mounted later that year at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/09/arts/opera-satyagraha-tale-of-ghandi-in-brooklyn.html Donal Henahan, "'Satyagraha,' Tale of Ghandi, in Brooklyn," New York Times, November 9, 1981.]</ref>  The opera was also staged that same year by the [[Stuttgart Opera]] (which went on to perform the complete trilogy in 1990); this production was taped during its revival in 1983 and released on video.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/255555/Philip-Glass-Satyagraha/overview | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414231225/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/255555/Philip-Glass-Satyagraha/overview | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 14, 2008 | accessdate=May 23, 2010 | department=Movies & TV Dept. | work=[[The New York Times]] | author=Mark Deming | date=2008 | title=Movies: About Philip Glass: ''Satyagraha''}}</ref>


The Lyric Opera of Chicago presented the first production by a major international opera company on September 28, 1987, at the Civic Opera House. Douglas Perry sang the role of Gandhi.<ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-09-29-8703130455-story.html] {{Bare URL inline|date=November 2021}}</ref>
The Lyric Opera of Chicago presented the first production by a major international opera company on September 28, 1987, at the Civic Opera House. Douglas Perry sang the role of Gandhi.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-09-29-8703130455-story.html | title=Lyric Opera Stages a Transcendental Success | website=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date=29 September 1987 }}</ref>


The UK premiere was a joint production by [[Bath Spa University]] and [[Frome Community College]] in the theatre of [[Kingswood School]] in Bath in 1997.<ref>{{cite news|first=Phil|last=Johnson|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/review-opera-satyagraha-kingswood-school-bath-1279640.html|title=Review: Opera ''Satyagraha'' Kingswood School, Bath|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|date=February 20, 1997|accessdate=August 23, 2013}}</ref>
The UK premiere was a joint production by [[Bath Spa University]] and [[Frome Community College]] in the theatre of [[Kingswood School]] in Bath in 1997.<ref>{{cite news|first=Phil|last=Johnson|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/review-opera-satyagraha-kingswood-school-bath-1279640.html|title=Review: Opera ''Satyagraha'' Kingswood School, Bath|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|date=February 20, 1997|accessdate=August 23, 2013}}</ref>


Performance by [[San Francisco Opera]] at the [[War Memorial Opera House]] in 1989 <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-07-ca-1554-story.html|title=OPERA REVIEW: San Francisco Opera Offers ''Satyagraha''}}</ref>
There was a performance by [[San Francisco Opera]] at the [[War Memorial Opera House]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-07-ca-1554-story.html|title=OPERA REVIEW: San Francisco Opera Offers ''Satyagraha''}}</ref>


{{ill|Silviu Purcărete|ro}} staged a new production of the opera in 2004 at the [[Theater Bonn]], Germany, with a revival in 2013, with [[Ulrich Windfuhr]] conducting the [[Beethoven Orchester Bonn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.general-anzeiger-bonn.de/news/kultur-und-medien/bonn/Philip-Glass-Gandhi-Oper-Satyagraha-wieder-auf-dem-Spielplan-article1070741.html|title=Philip Glass' Gandhi-Oper ''Satyagraha'' wieder auf dem Spielplan|first=Gunild|last=Lohmann|work=[[General-Anzeiger]]|location=Bonn|date=June 10, 2013|language=de}}</ref>
{{ill|Silviu Purcărete|ro}} staged a new production of the opera in 2004 at the [[Theater Bonn]], Germany, with a revival in 2013, with [[Ulrich Windfuhr]] conducting the [[Beethoven Orchester Bonn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.general-anzeiger-bonn.de/news/kultur-und-medien/bonn/Philip-Glass-Gandhi-Oper-Satyagraha-wieder-auf-dem-Spielplan-article1070741.html|title=Philip Glass' Gandhi-Oper ''Satyagraha'' wieder auf dem Spielplan|first=Gunild|last=Lohmann|work=[[General-Anzeiger]]|location=Bonn|date=June 10, 2013|language=de}}</ref>


A new staging by the [[English National Opera]] and [[Improbable theatre]], co-produced by the [[Metropolitan Opera]], opened in London in April 2007<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article1624066.ece|work=The Times|location=London|title=''Satyagraha''|first=Hilary|last=Finch|date=7 April 2007|accessdate=23 May 2010}} {{subscription required}}</ref> and in New York in April 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/season/production.aspx?id=9251|title=''Satyagraha''}}{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016053057/http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/season/production.aspx?id=9251 |date=October 16, 2007 }}</ref> It was revived in London in February 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?itemid=27|title=''Satyagraha''}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407082215/http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?itemid=27 |date=April 7, 2010}}</ref> and in New York in November 2011; the New York performance on November 19 was part of the [[Metropolitan Opera Live in HD|Met Opera: Live in HD]] series.  It aired on [[Great Performances at the Met]] from [[PBS]] in 2012, Season 39 Episode 19 on March 22 with an encore presentation March 25.<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/gp-at-the-met-satyagraha-about-the-opera/1266/ Retrieved November 26, 2019.</ref> The Metropolitan Opera's 2011 production was streamed online on June 21 and November 1, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Week 13|url=https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/week-13/|access-date=2020-10-28|website=www.metopera.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Opera Streams: Weekly Guide|url=https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/week-33/opera-streams-weekly-guide|access-date=2020-10-28|website=www.metopera.org|language=en}}</ref>
A new staging by the [[English National Opera]] and [[Improbable theatre]], co-produced by the [[Metropolitan Opera]], opened in London in April 2007<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article1624066.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517062245/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article1624066.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 17, 2011|work=The Times|location=London|title=''Satyagraha''|first=Hilary|last=Finch|date=7 April 2007|accessdate=23 May 2010}} {{subscription required}}</ref> and in New York in April 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/season/production.aspx?id=9251|title=''Satyagraha''|access-date=April 26, 2007|archive-date=October 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016053057/http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/season/production.aspx?id=9251|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was revived in London in February 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?itemid=27|title=''Satyagraha''|access-date=March 30, 2010|archive-date=April 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407082215/http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?itemid=27|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in New York in November 2011; the New York performance on November 19 was part of the [[Metropolitan Opera Live in HD|Met Opera: Live in HD]] series.  It aired on [[Great Performances]] from [[PBS]] in 2012, Season 39 Episode 19 on March 22 and March 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/gp-at-the-met-satyagraha-about-the-opera/1266/ |title=GP at the Met: Satyagraha|website=Great Performances - PBS|date= 9 March 2012|access-date=November 26, 2019}}</ref> The Metropolitan Opera's 2011 production was streamed online on June 21 and November 1, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nightly Opera Streams, June 15–21, 2020|url=https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/week-14/|website=www.metopera.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Weekly Guide: October 26–November 1, 2020|url=https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/week-33/opera-streams-weekly-guide|access-date=2020-10-28|website=www.metopera.org|language=en}}</ref>


On September 16, 2014, a new production was staged at the [[Ekaterinburg]] State Academic Opera in Russia. The creative team included [[Thaddeus Strassberger]] (direction and scenic design), Mattie Ullrich (costume design) and [[Oliver von Dohnányi]] (conductor).
On September 16, 2014, a new production was staged at the [[Ekaterinburg]] State Academic Opera in Russia. The creative team included [[Thaddeus Strassberger]] (direction and scenic design), Mattie Ullrich (costume design) and [[Oliver von Dohnányi]] (conductor).


A new production by [[Folkoperan]] and [[Cirkus Cirkör]], directed by {{ill|Tilde Björfors|sv}} and conducted by Matthew Wood premiered at the [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]]'s [[Harvey Theater]] on October 31, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bam.org/opera/2018/satyagraha|location=New York|title=BAM Satyagraha|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref>
A new production by [[Folkoperan]] and [[Cirkus Cirkör]], directed by {{ill|Tilde Björfors|sv}} and conducted by Matthew Wood premiered in Stockholm on September 14, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Satyagraha |url=https://folkoperan.se/uppsattningar/satyagraha/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Folkoperan |language=sv-SE}}</ref> It was revived twice in Stockholm in April 2017 and in May 2018. The production also went on tour to [[Stora Teatern]] in May 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-17 |title=Satyagraha |url=https://storateatern.se/sv/program/satyagraha/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Stora Teatern |language=sv-SE}}</ref> to the [https://www.operafestival.dk/ Copenhagen Opera Festival] in August 2018 and to the [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]]'s [[Harvey Theater]] in October – November 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bam.org/opera/2018/satyagraha|location=New York|title=BAM Satyagraha|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/71361/|work=Limelight Magazine|title=Aussie conductor Matthew Wood brings a Swedish Satyagraha to Brooklyn|first=Clive|last=Paget|date=October 30, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wnyc.org/story/opera-takes-air-new-satyagraha-production/|location=New York|work=WNYC|title=Opera Takes To The Air In New ''Satyagraha'' Production|first=John|last=Schaefer|date=October 31, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref> [[:sv:Leif Aruhn-Solén|Leif Aruhn-Solén]] sang the role of Gandhi nearly 50 times and is therefore likely the singer who has performed the role the most.
<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/71361/|work=Limelight Magazine|title=Aussie conductor Matthew Wood brings a Swedish Satyagraha to Brooklyn|first=Clive|last=Paget|date=October 30, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wnyc.org/story/opera-takes-air-new-satyagraha-production/|location=New York|work=WNYC|title=Opera Takes To The Air In New ''Satyagraha'' Production|first=John|last=Schaefer|date=October 31, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref>


On 18 November 2018, [[Vlaamse Opera]] premiered a production by director and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, together with stage designer Henrik Ahr and costume designer Jan-Jan Van Essche <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://operaballet.be/en/programme/2018-2019/satyagraha|title = Satyagraha - Philip Glass (°1937)}}</ref>
On 18 November 2018, [[Vlaamse Opera]] premiered a production by director and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, together with stage designer Henrik Ahr and costume designer Jan-Jan Van Essche<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://operaballet.be/en/programme/2018-2019/satyagraha|title = Satyagraha - Philip Glass (°1937)}}</ref>


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
The opera is in three acts, each referencing a major related cultural figure.
The opera is in three acts, each referencing a major related cultural figure.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metopera.org/user-information/synopses-archive/Satyagraha | title=Satyagraha }}</ref>


===Act 1===
===Act 1===
'''[[Leo Tolstoy]]'''
'''[[Leo Tolstoy]]'''


* On the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] Field of Justice
* On the [[Kurukshetra|Kuru Field]] of Justice
* [[Tolstoy Farm]] (1910)
* [[Tolstoy Farm]] (1910)
* The Vow (1906)
* The Vow (1906)
Line 63: Line 105:


===Act 3===
===Act 3===
'''[[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]'''
'''[[Martin Luther King Jr.]]'''
*The Newcastle March (1913)
*The Newcastle March (1913)


==Recordings==
==Recordings==
* S. Woods, D. Perry; Keene, [[New York City Opera]] orchestra and chorus. 1984 (Sony)
* Sheryl Woods (Mrs. Naidoo), Douglas Perry (M.K. Gandhi); Christopher Keene (Conductor), [[New York City Opera]] orchestra and chorus. 1984 (Sony)
* D. Anzolini; [[Metropolitan Opera]] orchestra and chorus. 2021 (Orange Machine Music)
* D. Anzolini; [[Metropolitan Opera]] orchestra and chorus. 2021 (Orange Mountain Music)
* Leif Aruhn-Solén (M.K. Gandhi); Magnus Sköld piano. Gandhi's Final Aria. 2023 (Aruhn-Solén Music)


==See also==
==See also==
Line 88: Line 131:


[[Category:1980 operas]]
[[Category:1980 operas]]
[[Category:Bhagavad Gita]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Mahatma Gandhi]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Mahatma Gandhi]]
[[Category:Minimalist operas]]
[[Category:Minimalist operas]]
Line 95: Line 139:
[[Category:Operas based on real people]]
[[Category:Operas based on real people]]
[[Category:Operas by Philip Glass]]
[[Category:Operas by Philip Glass]]
[[Category:Sony Classical Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Kurt Munkacsi]]
[[Category:Philip Glass albums]]
[[Category:Philip Glass albums]]
[[Category:Political operas]]
[[Category:Political operas]]
[[Category:Sanskrit-language operas]]
[[Category:Sanskrit-language operas]]
[[Category:Hinduism in opera]]

Latest revision as of 10:00, 5 June 2025


Satyagraha
Opera by Philip Glass
The composer in 1993
Librettist
Based onlife of Mahatma Gandhi
Premiere
September 5, 1980 (1980-09-05)
Schouwburg [nl]

Satyagraha (/ˈsɑːtjəˈɡrɑːhɑː/; Sanskrit सत्याग्रह, satyāgraha "insistence on truth") is a 1980 opera in three acts for orchestra, chorus and soloists, composed by Philip Glass, with a libretto by Glass and Constance DeJong.

Loosely based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, it forms the second part of Glass's "Portrait Trilogy" of operas about men who changed the world, which also includes Einstein on the Beach and Akhnaten.

Glass's style can broadly be described as minimalist. The work is scored for 2 sopranos, 2 mezzo-sopranos, 2 tenors, a baritone, 2 basses, a large SATB chorus, and an orchestra of strings and woodwinds only, no brass or percussion. Principal roles are Sonja Schlesin, Mahatma Gandhi, Hermann Kallenbach and Parsi Rustomji.

The title refers to Gandhi's concept of nonviolent resistance to injustice, satyagraha, and the text, from the Bhagavad Gita, is sung in the original Sanskrit. In performance, translation is usually provided in supertitles.

Roles[edit | edit source]

Role Voice type
M. K. Gandhi tenor
Lord Krishna bass
Parsi Rustomji bass
Mrs Alexander mezzo-soprano
Mrs Naidoo soprano
Kasturbai mezzo-soprano
Mrs Schlesen soprano
Mr. Kallenbach baritone
Prince Arjuna baritone

Performance history[edit | edit source]

Gandhi in Berlin, performed 25 October 2017

Satyagraha was commissioned by the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands, and first performed at the Schouwburg [nl] (Municipal Theatre) there on September 5, 1980, by the Netherlands Opera, featuring the choir of the Rotterdam Conservatory and the Utrecht Symphony Orchestra [nl], conducted by Bruce Ferden [de].[1]

The opera premiered in North America at the Artpark in Lewiston, New York, on July 29, 1981. That production was mounted later that year at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.[2] The opera was also staged that same year by the Stuttgart Opera (which went on to perform the complete trilogy in 1990); this production was taped during its revival in 1983 and released on video.[3]

The Lyric Opera of Chicago presented the first production by a major international opera company on September 28, 1987, at the Civic Opera House. Douglas Perry sang the role of Gandhi.[4]

The UK premiere was a joint production by Bath Spa University and Frome Community College in the theatre of Kingswood School in Bath in 1997.[5]

There was a performance by San Francisco Opera at the War Memorial Opera House in 1989.[6]

Silviu Purcărete [ro] staged a new production of the opera in 2004 at the Theater Bonn, Germany, with a revival in 2013, with Ulrich Windfuhr conducting the Beethoven Orchester Bonn.[7]

A new staging by the English National Opera and Improbable theatre, co-produced by the Metropolitan Opera, opened in London in April 2007[8] and in New York in April 2008.[9] It was revived in London in February 2010[10] and in New York in November 2011; the New York performance on November 19 was part of the Met Opera: Live in HD series. It aired on Great Performances from PBS in 2012, Season 39 Episode 19 on March 22 and March 25.[11] The Metropolitan Opera's 2011 production was streamed online on June 21 and November 1, 2020.[12][13]

On September 16, 2014, a new production was staged at the Ekaterinburg State Academic Opera in Russia. The creative team included Thaddeus Strassberger (direction and scenic design), Mattie Ullrich (costume design) and Oliver von Dohnányi (conductor).

A new production by Folkoperan and Cirkus Cirkör, directed by Tilde Björfors [sv] and conducted by Matthew Wood premiered in Stockholm on September 14, 2016.[14] It was revived twice in Stockholm in April 2017 and in May 2018. The production also went on tour to Stora Teatern in May 2017,[15] to the Copenhagen Opera Festival in August 2018 and to the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Harvey Theater in October – November 2018.[16][17][18] Leif Aruhn-Solén sang the role of Gandhi nearly 50 times and is therefore likely the singer who has performed the role the most.

On 18 November 2018, Vlaamse Opera premiered a production by director and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, together with stage designer Henrik Ahr and costume designer Jan-Jan Van Essche[19]

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

The opera is in three acts, each referencing a major related cultural figure.[20]

Act 1[edit | edit source]

Leo Tolstoy

Act 2[edit | edit source]

Rabindranath Tagore

Act 3[edit | edit source]

Martin Luther King Jr.

  • The Newcastle March (1913)

Recordings[edit | edit source]

  • Sheryl Woods (Mrs. Naidoo), Douglas Perry (M.K. Gandhi); Christopher Keene (Conductor), New York City Opera orchestra and chorus. 1984 (Sony)
  • D. Anzolini; Metropolitan Opera orchestra and chorus. 2021 (Orange Mountain Music)
  • Leif Aruhn-Solén (M.K. Gandhi); Magnus Sköld piano. Gandhi's Final Aria. 2023 (Aruhn-Solén Music)

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Satyagraha, philipglass.com
  2. ↑ Donal Henahan, "'Satyagraha,' Tale of Ghandi, in Brooklyn," New York Times, November 9, 1981.
  3. ↑ Mark Deming (2008). "Movies: About Philip Glass: Satyagraha". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Lyric Opera Stages a Transcendental Success". Chicago Tribune. September 29, 1987.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Phil (February 20, 1997). "Review: Opera Satyagraha Kingswood School, Bath". The Independent. London. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  6. ↑ "OPERA REVIEW: San Francisco Opera Offers Satyagraha".
  7. ↑ Lohmann, Gunild (June 10, 2013). "Philip Glass' Gandhi-Oper Satyagraha wieder auf dem Spielplan". General-Anzeiger (in Deutsch). Bonn.
  8. ↑ Finch, Hilary (April 7, 2007). "Satyagraha". The Times. London. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2010. (subscription required)
  9. ↑ "Satyagraha". Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Satyagraha". Archived from the original on April 7, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  11. ↑ "GP at the Met: Satyagraha". Great Performances - PBS. March 9, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Nightly Opera Streams, June 15–21, 2020". www.metopera.org.
  13. ↑ "Weekly Guide: October 26–November 1, 2020". www.metopera.org. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Satyagraha". Folkoperan (in svenska). Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Satyagraha". Stora Teatern (in svenska). December 17, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  16. ↑ "BAM Satyagraha". New York. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  17. ↑ Paget, Clive (October 30, 2018). "Aussie conductor Matthew Wood brings a Swedish Satyagraha to Brooklyn". Limelight Magazine. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  18. ↑ Schaefer, John (October 31, 2018). "Opera Takes To The Air In New Satyagraha Production". WNYC. New York. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Satyagraha - Philip Glass (°1937)".
  20. ↑ "Satyagraha".

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