The Runaway Slave at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

A revolutionary drama. El Cimarrón (The Runaway Slave) is a dramatic recital set in revolutionary Cuba about escaped prisoner Esteban and his fight for freedom in a society marked by violence and political chaos. Based on a real-life incident during the civil war in the late 19th century, the work was composed by Hans Werner Henze while living in Cuba in 1970. Esteban’s role is performed by the strongly charismatic American baritone Gregg Baker, an acclaimed soloist who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Arena di Verona, Wiener Staatsoper and Glyndebourne Festival. The musical accompaniment features three instrumentalists on guitar, flute and percussion.