John Boyne’s masterpiece The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas still features regularly on international bestseller lists nearly two decades after its publication. Boyne’s story is a symbolic exploration of why the Holocaust is so traumatic: it demonstrates the relentlessly organised barbarity of which humanity is capable. The book has been adapted for cinema, theatre and ballet, though never for opera… until now.
A rising star of contemporary classical music has written an original opera score to bring this poignant tale to new audiences. 23-year-old composer, conductor and painter Noah Max was awarded The Clements Prize in 2021. Over 40 of his works are published by United Music Publishing and his debut album Songs of Loneliness is available from Toccata Classics. The Echo Ensemble, which Noah founded in 2016, has given more than 60 world premieres and their broadcasts during Covid were enjoyed by thousands of families worldwide.
‘Intensely haunting and emotionally devastating, Boyne’s delicate fable takes a child’s eye view of twentieth century history and finds resonances lacking from many adult accounts‘ – Waterstones
Praise for John Boyne’s multi-award winning novel, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
‘Overtones that remain in the imagination… delivering its killer punch in the final pages‘ – The Independent
‘Mercurial in character, detailed in scoring, echoes of Barber in its fragile slow movement’ – Arts Desk
Praise for music composed by Noah Max:
‘Telling juxtapositions of calm, static episodes with passionate outbursts… an engaging new work for an exacting medium‘ – Musical Opinion
A Child In Striped Pyjamas by Noah Max
WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION
The Cockpit Theatre, London
(Box office opens 1st September)
11th & 12th January 2023
7:30pm, preceded by live Q&A at 6:30pm
Echo Ensemble, conducted by Noah Max
directed by Guido Martin-Brandis