Programme Note
An entry from ‘Operas in English: a Dictionary’ by Margaret Ross Griffel (2013: 106)
Crossing, The, opera in one act by John Metcalf; libretto (Eng) by the composer, after Geoff Gilham’s play. First performance September 20, 1984, Cardiff, Chapter Arts Centre, Music Theatre Ensemble, with John Rath (George Grosz), Alison Truefitt (Käthe), Belinda Neave (the Woman), and Frank Rozelaar-Green (the Sailor); conducted by Wyn Davies.
The work examines a chance meeting of the German painter George Grosz and another passenger on a ship crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1933. The meeting leads to emotional conflict for the artist.
In addition to lyrical pieces for Grosz and Käthe, there are mimed and danced sections for the other two members of the cast. Bibliography: Malcolm Boyd, “Wales,” MT 126 (Jan. 1985): 41.
Performance History
First performance
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
20th September 1984
Music Theatre Ensemble
Wyn Davies – conductor
John Rath – George Grosz
Alison Truefitt – Käthe
Belinda Neave – the Woman
Frank Rozelaar-Green – the Sailor
First London performances
The Place, London
9th & 10th November 1984
Cast as per Chapter Arts Centre performance above
Canadian premiere
16th November 1985
Margaret Greenham Theatre, Banff Centre for the Arts
Wales Tour 1985
9th March
Theatr Clwyd, Mold
10th March
Gregynog Hall, near Newtown, Powys
14th March
Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells
16th March
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
17th March
Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea
23rd March
Theatr y Werin, Aberystwyth
Wales Spring Tour 1986
Reviews
” . . . the piece has that mysterious, timeless quality inherent in the concept of a sea voyage. The mood is dreamlike, accentuated by the blue gauze design and the predominantly textural, atmospheric quality of the score ”
Rosalind Carne – Opera Magazine
” Highly entertaining ”
South Wales Echo
” A thought-provoking experience ”
Western Mail
