the rape of lucretia [britten]
[11/2014]
conductor | CODRUT BIRSAN
designer | GEORGE CEDERQUIST
lighting designer | NICOLE MALMQUIST
photographer | CATHY JOY PHOTOGRAPHY
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/eWFxjSxi6Sydr9TpwIeHQH;944x1220.jpeg?auto=webp)
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/gn5astwquSCeEZA0rBTlpv;944x1220.jpeg?auto=webp)
The Male Chorus (Scott Brunscheen) describes Tarquinius' (Matthan Black) penetration into Lucretia’s house.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/f1tDfRD2GeTeCYJhmvHl24;654x436.jpeg?auto=webp)
The production is set in a military holding cell during an investigation into an alleged act of rape.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/kcYnARzxEDLfJCH3lD6PVa;291x436.jpeg?auto=webp)
The Male Chorus (Scott Brunscheen) is a criminal investigator who interrogates the military men and civilians over allegations of Tarquinius' rape of Lucretia.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/4RSDSzcZJ4Hd2SigNzRxan;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
Collatinus (Dave Govertsen) responds to the Male Chorus' questions…
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/3P4eNF4WFl2bjmvunZC3IA;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
as Junius (Aaron Wardell) rues his wife’s infidelity.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/0JFT0cC5OSWaZE870wgOoP;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
Tarquinius (Matthan Black) vows to prove that Lucretia is chaste.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/dGPGW6LL2RGbyDgtyTjnPl;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
The Male Chorus tortures Tarquinius to extract evidence from him.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/jy4mT1bhmlkbuaVXNHzOHr;291x436.jpeg?auto=webp)
The Female Chorus (Jenny Schuler) is also an investigator, responsible for cross-examining the women.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/b88fG9pgtRigh4NmABdDUY;654x437.jpeg?auto=webp)
Lucretia (Robin Bradley) is a military officer, like her husband Collatinus.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/9nL8Vrp1l6sehdlPTvMZr6;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
Bianca (Giovanna Jacques) is a close friend to Lucretia…
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/a49mATEXWPSfGe7jDpPGUI;367x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
…as is Lucia (Elyse Kakacek).
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/dcg0eXc8YUJc1Mqnh3GYv9;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
Lucretia, exhausted from the interrogation, falls asleep under the watchful eye of the Female Chorus.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/2YbFeTW63f2eMgjpmITPv6;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
Tarquinius finds Lucretia asleep and sings of her living “within this frail crucible of light.”
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/gfu9gTfnS2zgddAlro7Wjm;394x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
Tarquinius wakes Lucretia with a kiss…
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/3UN3uzJvuKPfNAarAOkKaz;394x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
…then accuses her of wanting him, despite her refusal.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/elYKVJFwe3GgfLfsAobOoM;305x427.jpeg?auto=webp)
Tarquinius rapes Lucretia psycologically, showing her evidence of the night he came to her house.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/7xYmv4ZO5jwcVcSXBm343q;640x426.jpeg?auto=webp)
Lucretia collapses after being bullied by Tarquinius.
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/6BWfNeQtFq3eHZpa6yWkcK;367x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
Collatinus returns to the holding cell to save Lucretia…
![](https://carbon-media.accelerator.net/00000009c7b/0o7Rglg4hOyfdqj2tioLOs;368x552.jpeg?auto=webp)
…but in doing so gives her no other option than to commit suicide.