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Transformations
Conrad Susa's brilliantly imaginative opera is truly one of a kind. Composed of ten scenes set to Anne Sexton's texts based on Grimm's fairy tales, the work delves into the rich and often dark undercurrents of these stories while preserving their essence. Susa and Sexton don't shy away from exploring the depraved and provocative—for instance, Sexton takes on the role of the witch in Rapunzel, reimagining her as a lesbian in love with the titular character.
Susa's score is a kaleidoscope of styles, drawing influences from the Andrews Sisters to Lena Horne, with each story infused with its own distinctive flavor. The cast, though largely made up of lesser-known singers, delivers a brilliant and cohesive performance with an improvisational, dynamic energy.
This witty and raw music drama is a must-hear, offering a fresh and daring take on familiar tales. Highly recommended!
Track List
Act I
1. The Gold Key
2. Snow White
3. The White Snake
4. The White Snake
5. Iron Hans
6. Rumpelstiltskin
2. Snow White
3. The White Snake
4. The White Snake
5. Iron Hans
6. Rumpelstiltskin
Act II
7. Rapunzel
8. Godfather Death
9. The Wonderful Musician
10. Hansel and Gretel
11. Briar Rose
8. Godfather Death
9. The Wonderful Musician
10. Hansel and Gretel
11. Briar Rose
Customer Reviews
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3.4
Based on 5 reviews
✓ Verified Buyer
United States
Susa Transformations is FANTASTIC
Definitive. The original Minnesota Opera Company resident ensemble is extraordinary. Bravi tutti!
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✓ Verified Buyer
Austria
Interesting evolutionary point ...
... on the road to Dangerous Liaisons; kind of strange, to experience Grimm´s well worn out rude tales told from another´s point of view/expression with excellent performing artists, but for my (opera-)taste: too often musical-oriented. I knew from Susa´s output only the aforementioned Liaisons, and there for a long time only the somewhat crippled version, which exists on CD (2008). Just before my purchase of the Transformations (and one reason for doing so) was the discovery of the original 1974 San Francisco-Original-Liaisons on you tube, which really shows the talent, if not more, of Susa, and of his development. So, my advice to readers of this: get the Transformations. And my advise to Opera Depot: try to get the San Francisco version 1974 for your program, which - to my knowledge - is NOT available on cd.
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✓ Verified Buyer
United States
Off-beat, hard-to-find Susa opera.
Pretty good, with a tricky orchestra part. Stereo, but orchestra is too remote, and I would prefer less of an operatic vocal style [good luck on that!]. The Anne Sexton poetry would benefit from a more natural, “Broadway” type of vocal quality. Still, this is the only recording I know of, and it is conducted by Brunelle’s knowing hand.
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✓ Verified Buyer
United Kingdom
✓ Verified Buyer
Nicholas Deutsch
Several names in the cast list are given incorrectly: The Witch is played by Barbara Brandt (not Brenda), and Vern Sutton’s first name is spelled without a final “e.” Brandt, Hardy, Sutton & Marshall had all taken part in the world premiere (5 May 1973). Anyone interested in the piece should read the excellent & thorough article at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformations_(opera)
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