A vivid new French production of Belongings from La Philharmonie de Paris, first seen in May 2023, makes its way to Montpellier for further performances.

“A topical subject for this opera dedicated to young audiences, depicting the fate of young refugees in 1940 and today: a timeless meditation that crosses generations, carrying a message of comfort and hope.

It was around Glyndebourne's role in welcoming refugees from the London Blitz during the Second World War that this opera project featuring children and adolescents was born. Working together, librettist Laura Attridge and composer Lewis Murphy have drawn a parallel between the situation of 1940 and that of today's migrants crossing the Mediterranean: two historical and human situations, strongly felt by children catapulted towards the 'unknown.

Far from being desperate, since it stages dialogue and solidarity between communities, Belongings also expresses the suffering of the innocent. The quotation from a Bach chorale bears witness to this in the score, Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld der Welt : the lamb which appears, bearing the sins of the world.”

More information here.

Photo: Denis Allard

Music Lewis Murphy
Libretto Laura Attridge
French Translation Delphine Malik

Conductor Jérôme Pillement
Director Benoît Bénichou
Set Designer Christophe Ouvrard
Costume Designer Bruno Fatalot
Lighting Designer Thomas Costerg

Chorus Master Laetitia Toulouse