Opus Arte's video: Benjamin: Lessons in Love and Violence The Royal Opera

George Benjamin and Martin Crimp’s second full-length opera – following the acclaimed Written on Skin – draws on the real-life relationship between Edward II and Piers Gaveston to explore how personal relationships can have fatal political consequences. The King lives in a close but uneasy relationship with his wife Isabel, their two children and his lover Gaveston. When the King banishes his military advisor Mortimer, he sets off a chain of devastating events. Benjamin’s richly-orchestrated score perfectly captures the drama’s intense emotions, while director Katie Mitchell provides a visually stunning contemporary staging, highlighting the timelessness of the opera’s main themes. The composer himself conducts a superb international cast. Stéphane Degout: King Barbara Hannigan: Isabel Gyula Orendt: Gaveston/Stranger Peter Hoare: Mortimer Samuel Boden: Boy /Young King Jennifer France: Witness 1/Singer 1/Woman 1 Krisztina Szabó: Witness 2/Singer 2/Woman 2 Andri Björn Róbertsson: Witness 3/Madman Royal Opera Chorus Orchestra of The Royal Opera House Conductor: George Benjamin Text: Martin Crimp Stage Director: Katie Mitchell Catalogue numbers: OA1221D (DVD) / OABD7199D (BLU-RAY) Release Date - January 2019 More information here: DVD - http://www.opusarte.com/details/OA1221D Blu-Ray - http://www.opusarte.com/details/OABD7199D Available now: Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/2rk85Up Amazon DE - https://amzn.to/2BNnORX Amazon US - https://amzn.to/2RxluY4 Naxos Direct - http://bit.ly/2KQq5yL Presto - http://bit.ly/2zEqG1O MDT - http://bit.ly/2QvaNo7 Europadisc - http://bit.ly/2LRRSiR