I have been remiss in posting works of important 20th century composers, tops among them Hanz Werner Henze, a name which sends most opera fans running for the exits.  Henze’s first opera, Boulevard Solitude from 1952, may surprise you: not a 12-tone headache, but a wonderfully-textured score primarily influenced by jazz.  And the story?  It’s Henze’s adaptation of Manon Lescaut. 

Although it’s not programmed a lot (I have only seen it once, in a brilliant production in Graz), it seems to be an audience favorite wherever it is done, such as the Welsh National Opera from which today’s performance originates.  It is also sung—rather clearly—in an English translation.  Please give it a chance: you know the story (although it concentrates on Des Grieux—it’s a marathon role for the tenor), it’s shorter than a movie, and you will (most likely) be able to understand the words.  Conductor Lothar Koenigs commented, “Alongside Britten, Henze is surely the most important representative of opera in the 20th century.”

Hans Werner Henze: Boulevard Solitude

Welsh National Opera, Cardiff
Lothar Koenigs, conductor
February 2014

Sung in English

Armand des Grieux – Jason Bridges
Manon Lescaut – Sarah Tynan
Lescaut – Benjamin Bevan
Lilaque, père – Adrian Thompson
Francis – Alastair Moore
Young Lilaque – Laurence Cole
Mr. Man – Tomasz Wygoda

Photo: Johan Persson