Cupbearer to the Gods
Cupbearer to the Gods is the most famous, loved and also controversial opera by the composer Pror Cuas.
It’s the story of how the leader of the gods took the shape of an albatross, to seduce and abduct the beautiful mortal boy Lersan Codra. In the dwelling of the gods, the other male gods and some goddesses tries to win Lersan's affection. After an attempt from some of the goddesses, who have become jealous, to kill Lersan fails, the lead god punishes his wife by making her a cow for a year, and gives Lersan eternal life, youth and beauty, as his personal servant and sex slave.
The composer originally wrote the role of Lersan Codra to be played by a boy soprano, but then the opera was found to be inappropriate and banned. Only when the role was rewritten, so they could cast someone who was over the age of consent, at least and so it would fit his vocal range, was the opera allowed to be played. But then, a lot of productions cast slightly older women, who can pass for a teenage boy, in the role.
For the new production at the The Royal Opera in Dot Clyr, the tenor Saspal Prisi found a teenage street performer, singing popular show tunes in Twob Park, one summer day and gave the role to him. As the boy was at the time staying at a youth shelter, Saspal took him in as another of his foster kids, to live in luxury with him in a hotel suite at Gwut. The boy chose to use a pseudonym at the opera, rather than use his real name, taking the name of his first pet and the street he grew up on, which he felt was a little appropriate as the opera and particularly that production was accused of being pornographic by some religious groups.
It’s the story of how the leader of the gods took the shape of an albatross, to seduce and abduct the beautiful mortal boy Lersan Codra. In the dwelling of the gods, the other male gods and some goddesses tries to win Lersan's affection. After an attempt from some of the goddesses, who have become jealous, to kill Lersan fails, the lead god punishes his wife by making her a cow for a year, and gives Lersan eternal life, youth and beauty, as his personal servant and sex slave.
The composer originally wrote the role of Lersan Codra to be played by a boy soprano, but then the opera was found to be inappropriate and banned. Only when the role was rewritten, so they could cast someone who was over the age of consent, at least and so it would fit his vocal range, was the opera allowed to be played. But then, a lot of productions cast slightly older women, who can pass for a teenage boy, in the role.
For the new production at the The Royal Opera in Dot Clyr, the tenor Saspal Prisi found a teenage street performer, singing popular show tunes in Twob Park, one summer day and gave the role to him. As the boy was at the time staying at a youth shelter, Saspal took him in as another of his foster kids, to live in luxury with him in a hotel suite at Gwut. The boy chose to use a pseudonym at the opera, rather than use his real name, taking the name of his first pet and the street he grew up on, which he felt was a little appropriate as the opera and particularly that production was accused of being pornographic by some religious groups.
Document Structure
Clauses
Four Acts
Publication Status
A music publisher owns the copyright and handles performance rights of the opera.
Type
Manuscript, Musical
Medium
Paper
Location
Authors
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