Details

Opera singers, musicians, half life-sized puppets and animated film come together to retell the Greek myth of Ulysses. In Kentridge's version of Monteverdi's opera, Ulysses is no longer in Ithaca. Instead, he lies reminiscing in a Johannesburg hospital bed. His romantic return to Penelope has become an epic dream that evokes not only classical Greece but also Monteverdi's Venice and contemporary South Africa. 'Ulysses is sick. He lies in bed, in twisted sheets, breathing shallowly. But Ulysses is made of wood...and the steady rise and fall of his breath as he lies racked by feverish dreams of reuniting with his wife is quiet testimony to the skill and detail of the production.' The New York Times Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes approx. Staged production sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Cast/Performers

Julian Podger (Ulisse / L'Humana Fragilita), Romina Basso (Penelope), Lluis Vilamajo (Telemacl / Pisandro), Stephan MacLeod (Nettuno / Antinoo / Tempo), Anna Zander (Fortuna / Melanto / Anfi nomo), Valerio Contaldo )Eumete, Durimaco, Giove), Adriana Fernandez (Amore / Minerva), Busi Zokufa (puppeteer), Adrian Kohler (puppeteer), Basil Jones (puppeteer), Jason Potgieter (puppeteer), Enrico Wey (puppeteer)

Creatives/Company

Music: Claudio Monteverdi
Company(s): Handspring Puppet Company, Ricercar Consort
Director(s): William Kentridge, Luc de Wit (assistant)
Other: William Kentridge (animator)
Design(s): William Kentridge, Adrian Kohler (puppets), Adrian Kohler (set)
Musical Director: Philippe Pierlot
Costume: Adrian Kohler
Lighting: Wesley France