Animal Farm[1] is an English-language opera by Russian composer Alexander Raskatov based on George Orwell's 1944 novella of the same name. The opera contains two acts, nine scenes, and an epilogue, with a libretto written by Ian Burton and musical direction by Bassem Akiki. The project was conceived by Italian director Damiano Michieletto who collaborated with Raskatov on the project which was a co-commission by the Vienna State Opera, Teatro Massimo, and the Dutch National Opera.[2][3]
The opera's premiere took place on 3 March 2023 as part of Dutch National Opera's 2022/2023 season and has been welcomed with great success by the audience.[4]
| Roles | Amsterdam Premiere | Vienna Premiere[5] |
|---|---|---|
| Old Major | Gennady Bezzubenkov | Gennady Bezzubenkov |
| Napoleon | Misha Kiria | Wolfgang Bankl |
| Snowball | Michael Gniffke | Michael Gniffke |
| Squealer | James Kryshak | Andrei Popov |
| Boxer | Germán Olvera | Stefan Astakhov |
| Benjamin | Karl Laquit | Karl Laquit |
| Minimus | Artyem Krutko | Artyem Krutko |
| Clover | Helena Rasker | Margaret Plummer |
| Muriel | Maya Gour | Isabel Signoret |
| Blacky | Elena Vassilieva | Elena Vassilieva |
| Mollie | Holly Flack | Holly Flack |
| Pigetta (young actress) | Karl Laquit | Karl Laquit |
| Mr. Jones | Marcel Beekman | Daniel Jenz |
| Mrs. Jones | Francis van Broekhuizen | Aurora Marthens |
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