Martinů: The Greek Passion
Opera North, Leeds, 14th September 2019
It is a sad reflection on our current climate, where posters depicting queues of refugees are deployed to incite anti-immigrant feelings, that Bohuslav Martinů’s opera The Greek Passion stings with contemporary resonance. Inspired by Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel Christ Recrucified, it tells the story of refugees fleeing a massacre. Seeking shelter in a Greek village, where the locals are preparing their Easter Passion play, they face a hostile reception and are turned away. The shepherd Manolios – chosen to portray Christ – stands up for them, but pays the ultimate price when the villagers turn on him and his “disciples”.
Nicky Spence (Manolios)
© Tristram Kenton
Click here to read the full review on Bachtrack.