‘The Juniper Tree’ is based on a famous Grimm’s fairytale, in which a jealous stepmother murders her stepson and serves him up in a stew to his unsuspecting father.
In this gripping story of revenge and redemption, the boy’s stepsister buries her stepbrother’s bones under a juniper tree where his mother is buried, from where the child’s spirit returns as a singing bird who wreaks vengeance on his wicked stepmother before being restored to life in the bosom of his family.
This new production will be directed by Northern Ireland Opera’s Artistic Director Cameron Menzies. Most of the cast are drawn from Northern Ireland Opera’s prestigious Artist Development Programmes and the NI Opera Chorus Programme, which you can find out about by clicking here.
About the Story
“The Juniper Tree” can be found in the first volume of the Brothers Grimm’s famous collection, titled “Grimm’s Fairy Tales”, which was first published in 1812. This dark, magical tale explores themes of death, transformation, and redemption. The source of this folktale can be traced back to various European traditions and has various versions in different cultures.
About the Opera
Philip Glass and fellow composer Robert Moran collaborated in equal measure on the composition of ‘The Juniper Tree’. A Glass scene is followed by a Moran scene, with transitions composed by each, and the result is a fascinating hybrid, each composer holding on to his own identity while melding with the other. The opera had its world premiere in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1985.
Philip Glass is one of America’s most significant living composers of opera and film, including work on the scores for ‘The Hours’, ‘The Truman Show’, ‘Notes on a Scandal’ and ‘Fantastic Four’.
Music by Philip Glass & Robert Moran
Libretto by Arthur Yorinks
© 1985 Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc. Used by Permission.
Production Photography by Neil Harrison Photography
- Thank you to our Principal Funder, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland who visited us in rehearsals for ‘The Juniper Tree’ – find out more by clicking here.
- We are grateful for funding from The Garrick Club Charitable Trust which supports some of the training for the Artist Development Programme. Many of the cast for ‘The Juniper Tree’ are drawn from this programme and will benefit from this generous support. To find out more about our Artist Development Programme click here.
- We are also delighted to be able to invite some of our community partners to watch the dress rehearsal for ‘The Juniper Tree’. This participation is made possible through our Outreach Programme for which we have received generous support from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Reviews
- The Stage ‘Looks as delicious as it sounds’.
- Belfast Times Review ‘Delivered with aplomb… this was a thought-provoking evening’.
- Theatre News ‘A compelling production’
- A compelling performance of The Juniper Tree by Northern Ireland Opera – Seen and Heard International (seenandheard-international.com)
- A satisfying and entertaining presentation, suitable for the whole family – OperaWire
The Juniper Tree at the Grand Opera House. Photo credit: Neil Harrison Photography
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