Angelus Novus
chamber opera
1 ¿Dónde estoy? 10:27
Where am I?
2 El niño y el aprendizaje 9:26
The Child and the Lesson
3 Colores, lugares, sensaciones 9:05
Colours, Places, Sensations
4 Redención 11:54
Redemption
5 Geografía de la niñez 12:21
Geography of Childhood
6 La fatiga del poder 13:01
The Weariness of Power
7 La tradición de los oprimidos 8:23
The Tradition of the Oppressed
Total playing time: 74:40
Jorge Fernández Guerra _ Music and script, based on texts by Walter Benjamin
Juan Carlos Garvayo _ conductor
Ruth Gonzàlez Mesa _ soprano
Enrique Sánchez Ramos _ baritone
Joaquin Michavila Penalba _ flute
Mónica Campillo García _ clarinet
Gala Pérez Iñesta _ violin
Isabel Pérez Requeijo _ piano
Rafael Gálvez Laguna _ percussion
Recorded at the Centro Cultural Conde Duque and Estudios Cezanne in Madrid (Spain) (2015-2016)
Recorded by Javier Monteverde Recording assistant: Nicolás Domínguez
Editing, mixing and mastering by Javier Monteverde at Estudios Cezanne
Angelus novus is the third opera by Madrid composer Jorge Fernández Guerra. This time, he draws on a selection of texts by Walter Benjamin, which he uses to create a dialogue of sorts between a male character and a female character, who could be an alter ego or perhaps an angel. The dialogue appears to transpire during the final moments of the character’s life, which may be reminiscent of Benjamin’s final moments at the Spanish border as he fled the Nazis.
Angelus novus premiered at Madrid’s Teatros del Canal on 21 May 2015, with a passionate team of artists, conducting by Juan Carlos Garvayo (who is also featured in this recording), and high-intensity staging by stage director Vanessa Montfort.
