Taymor's Grendel Delays L.A. Opera Premiere to June 1

Grendel--a new opera directed and co-written by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor based on the fantastical epic poem Beowulf--will have its Los Angeles Opera premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on June 1st rather than the previously-announced May 27th.

The elaborately-staged opera's delay was caused by technical difficulties. The opera will now officially open on June 8th, with the June 1st and June 3rd performances preview ones. It will run through June 17th; Grendel will play in repertory with La Traviata at the L.A. Opera. The opera--which will feature an array of imaginative puppets--will then run for four performances (July 11th through 13th and July 15th) as part of the Lincoln Center Festival in New York.

"The technical rehearsals ceased on May 23 when computer malfunctions caused a large pivoting platform, central to scenery designer George Tsypin's large-scale set, to stop working, causing the platform's internal mechanisms to break. The platform, which uses 28 individually operating motors to move horizontally and vertically and pivot a full 360 degrees at a variety of speeds, must bear the weight of up to 15 performers at a time. Solving the malfunction of the computer system and correcting the failure has severely compromised the rehearsal time necessary for the success of the production, which demands extensive technical work," state notes on the production.

Grendel will feature a libretto by Taymor (The Lion King) and poet J.D. McClatchy (using both English and Old English), as well as music by Elliot Goldenthal--an Oscar-winner for Frida and Taymor's husband. Based on John Gardner's epoymous novel--itself inspired by Beowulf--the show takes the point of view of the monstrous Grendel. Grendel is almost three hours long, with one intermission.

According to Goldenthal, the piece will be musically eclectic and feature electric guitars as well as clarinets and hand drums, among other instruments. "Some of it goes back to Monteverdi, some feels contemporary," he said in an earlier Variety article. An orchestra of 74 will back a cast of 80.

Angelin Preljocaj will choreograph Grendel, which will be conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Opera star Denyce Graves will sing the role of The Dragon, while Desmond Richardson (Fosse, Movin' Out) will dance as Beowulf. Opera singer Eric Owen will be featured in the title role of Grendel. Other cast members include Laura Claycomb (Queen Wealtheow), Jay Hunter Morris (Unferth), Richard Croft (Blind Harpist), Charles Austin Roberts and Raymond Aceto (alternating as King Hrothgar).

Tsypin (sets), Constance Hoffman (costumes), Donald Holder (lighting), and Taymor and Michael Curry (puppet design) will comprise the design team.

"He lives like an outsider. Ideas like heroism, religion, love, philosophy -- each time he finds them, underneath there's disillusionment. Considering this disillusionment regarding government and religion -- throwing bombs on other countries in the name of Allah or Jesus -- Grendel starts to make sense," as Variety quoted Rosenthal, who previously collaborated on the film Frida and on the 1996 puppet-laden stage show Juan Darien. "Myth is the proper forum to explore charlatanism."

In addition to her Tony Award-winning work for The Lion King and her direction of Frida, Taymor has directed The Green Bird on Broadway, as well as Juan Darien and the film Titus, among other credits. Goldenthal has scored films such as Interview with the Vampire, Titus, Sphere, Michael Collins and Batman & Robin, and also contributed music to The Green Bird and Juan Darien.

Those with ticket for earlier performances cancelled by the technical problems may exchange them for later ones.

Visit www.losangelesopera.org for more information.