Introduced by Robin Ray
The Violins of Saint-Jacques
An opera in a prologue and three acts by MALCOLM WILLIAMSON
Libretto by WILLIAM CHAPPELL adapted from the novel by PATRICK LEIGH FERMOR
Although Saint-Jacques is an imaginary island set in the Caribbean, the story is based upon an actual volcanic eruption which took place in Martinique in 1902, wiping out the city of Saint-Pierre and killing some 30,000 people. The violins of the title are the mysterious sounds from beneath the waves said to be heard by nihermen each year on the date the entire island of Saint-Jacques sank without trace into the ocean.
Singers:
The parts of Berthe, Sosthene and Josephine are acted by JUDY LYNNE , MICHAEL LONG and PAMELA STEPHENSON
THE SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA conductor VANCO CAVDARSKI chorus-master BARRY GOLDING
Choreography JACQUI CARROLL
Executive producer ANTHONY HUGHES Director PETER PAGE
An AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION production