For an interesting dramatic exploration of the seven deadly sins, I recommend Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s 1933 musical production (a “sung ballet”) called The Seven Deadly Sins. It is about a couple of sisters (both named Anna) from Louisiana, who set out from their family home to seek their fortune. The work consists of a set of episodes, one illustrating each of the seven deadly sins. Interestingly, each of the sins is illustrated by what would typically be considered virtuous behavior on the part of one of the sisters.
There is a good staging available on DVD—the Peter Sellars production with the two Annas played by the soprano Teresa Stratus and the dancer Nora Kimball (Kimball plays the virtuous sister). Although the story is set in the US, it is sung in German, but the aforementioned DVD has English subtitles.
The work is IMO quite clever and entertaining, particularly if you like 20th century avant-garde opera.
For an interesting dramatic exploration of the seven deadly sins, I recommend Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s 1933 musical production (a “sung ballet”) called The Seven Deadly Sins. It is about a couple of sisters (both named Anna) from Louisiana, who set out from their family home to seek their fortune. The work consists of a set of episodes, one illustrating each of the seven deadly sins. Interestingly, each of the sins is illustrated by what would typically be considered virtuous behavior on the part of one of the sisters.
There is a good staging available on DVD—the Peter Sellars production with the two Annas played by the soprano Teresa Stratus and the dancer Nora Kimball (Kimball plays the virtuous sister). Although the story is set in the US, it is sung in German, but the aforementioned DVD has English subtitles.
The work is IMO quite clever and entertaining, particularly if you like 20th century avant-garde opera.