Even the most ardent fan of composer Philip Glass might be hard-pressed to come up with too many details about his little-know opera, In the Penal Colony. Thankfully Long Beach Opera knew about it and has scheduled several performances of this unique piece. And though performances continue this week beginning on May 2nd and running through May 5th, word has gotten out and all performances appear sold-out (at least online.) Limited side view tickets are available through the CalRep Box Office.
Glass took his inspiration for this opera from Frank Kafka’s In der Strafkolonie (In the Penal Colony), which was published in 1919. It details the final use of a cruel and unusual form of punishment in which the convicted finds the sentence he’s been given carved on his skin before he’s allowed to die.
Rudolf Wurlitzer wrote the libretto. Glass confined his score to a string quartet with the addition of one double bass.
Director Jeff Janisheski has included the words and comments of students from California State University of Long Beach who have had experiences dealing with the criminal justice system in America. It isn’t a reinvention of Glass’s intention with this work. Rather it fits completely with what the composer and Wurlitzer had designed.
Doug Jones plays “The Visitor.” Zeffin Quinn Hollis plays “The Officer.” Morgan Pimentel plays “The Guard.” Ariana Carter, Isidro Cortes, Mayra De Leon, Kimberly English, Madison Lewis, Matthew Limas, Mark Oliver and John Pizzini plays “Prisoners.”
The orchestra is lead by Long Beach Opera’s Andreas Mitisek.