George Benjamin

Written on Skin

The birth of any opera is a special event. The birth of Written on Skin has been extraordinary. It is once in generation, or even a lifetime, that a new opera receives such unanimous acclaim and so many major performances within its first few years. To reflect the remarkable impact of this opera, Faber Music is releasing its very own 'precious object', a limited edition of the full score signed by the composer. One hundred and fifty copies of this First Edition have been produced as a special limited edition and are numbered, signed by the composer and included in a special presentation slipcase.
Instrumentation: THE PROTECTOR (Bar)/AGNÈS, his wife (S)/ANGEL 1/THE BOY (CT)/ANGEL 2/MARIE (M)/ANGEL 3/JOHN (T) 3(II=picc.III=picc+afl).2.2.bcl(=cl).cbcl.2(II=cbsn) - 4.4(I=ptpt).3.1 - perc(4): glsp/crot/steel drum/3 t.bells/5 tuned c.bells/vib/gong/2 small timp/6 mini-tablas/3 bongos/2 SD/2 TD/tumba/BD/small claves/3 mokubios/4 tpl.bl/sleigh bells/mcas/pebbles/guiro/whip/sandpaper blocks/computer keyboard or typewriter/small tgl/untuned c.bell/clash.cyms (2 pairs)/5 susp.cyms/tam-t - harp - glass harmonica – bass viola da gamba - strings (8.6.6.6.4 players) 2 first violins doubling mandolins; all double basses must have extensions to low B natural