World Premiere
Tod Machover (Skellig, Death and the Powers) illustrates the emigration of influential composer Arnold Schoenberg to Los Angeles in the 30s in this brand new opera commissioned by the BLO new works. Starring Omar Ebrahim as Schonenberg, with music by Machover, a libretto by Simon Robson and based on a scenario by Braham Murray, this world premiere production promises to be an illuminating celebration of the composer's life and career as he endeavoured to make his home in the City of Angels after fleeing the rise of Nazism in his native Austria.
Known as an innovative voice in the world of 20th Century classical music, Schoenberg left Europe after the Nazi regime labeled his work as degenerate. Eventually at home in the country, he at first found it difficult to find comfort in a culture very different from his own. During this time he taught at many institutions including UCLA and made a friend and tennis partner of George Gershwin.