Oedipus Rex

Stravinsky wrote his oratorio-opera Oedipus Rex to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Diaghilev’s artistic activity. The text was written by Jean Cocteau handing it later to his friend the abbot Jean Danilou who translated it into Latin. Premiered in 1927 at the Sarah Bernardt Theatre and although not one of the most popular pieces by Stravinsky, it is however one of the most relevant.

Oedipus Rex is built on a simplicity of sound in which the actors move around almost hypnotically creating the impression of living statues as intended by the composer. The ritualistic display of the drama is outlined by the speaker – or narrator – and by and the male chorus who according to Greek tragedy comment the tribulations of the young Oedipus. By deciphering the riddle proposed by the redoubtable sphinx at the gates of Thebes, Oedipus would become the most human and harrowing of all myths.

Director | Ricardo Pais

Set and costume designer | António Lagarto

Light designer | Rui Pedro Simão

Conductor | Leo Hussain

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Oedipus | Nikolai Schukoff

Jocaste | Cátia Moreso

Tirésias / Créon | Davone Tines

The shepherd | Marco Alves dos Santos

The messenger/Narrator | João Merino

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CORO DO TEATRO NACIONAL DE SÃO CARLOS

Principal Conductor | Giovanni Andreoli

ORQUESTRA SINFÓNICA PORTUGUESA

Principal Conductor | Joana Carneiro

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Production | New TNSC Production

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Photography credits | António Pedro Ferreira