In April 2012 Ruth performed at the Royal Opera House in Graham Fitkin’s new opera. Graham’s new short opera, Home, commissioned by the ROH for the Linbury Theatre, was premiered in April 2012. Jasmin Vardimon directed the opera which is scored for two singers (Melanie Pappenheim and Victoria Coupar), three dancers (Luke Borrough, Esteban Fourmi and Aoi Nakamura) and the nine musicians of Graham’s band.
The Stage, UK
“Fitkin manages to work a sense of form and development into his typically punchy score – his amplified band, sneeringly noir at the climax, is pungently shot through with trumpet, soprano saxophones and hectically strumming guitar and harp .”
The Guardian, UK
“Perhaps the most accomplished opera in the series to date….Fitkin’s sophisticated minimalist score evolves organically, never relaxing its hold on the audience’s attention. ”
The Telegraph, UK
“Not only innovative and accomplised, but enjoyable too …. Fitkin’s melismatic music and Jasmin Vardimon’s choreography both gather intensity relentlessly and the performers are admirably assured.” Rupert Christiansen
Classical Source, UK“Deftly conceived piece on the supposed certainty and real fragility of bricks and mortar, our shelter from the marauding world outside. Fitkin’s music builds to an impressive barrage of menace (with some wild writing for trumpet and saxophones, the video animation delivered superbly malignant shadows emanating from the fireplace, with the room becoming smothered in brambles and creepers, and the detailed choreography caught every nuance of ever more defensive gestures of possession. Home is effective and ferocious.”