Translating French opera

This project builds on Professor Julia Prest’s ongoing research into how opera moves across national, geographical and socio-cultural boundaries. It brings together innovative teaching and performance in the creation and dissemination of new, modernised English-language versions of three of Gluck’s “Paris” operas that aim to speak meaningfully to contemporary audiences and, especially, to people who are new to opera.

In 2014, Julia created the first (and only) Translating French Opera course in the UK.  She and her students produced a bespoke modernized performance translation of Gluck’s tragic opera, Iphigénie en Tauride, in collaboration with the director of the opera, Dr Jane Pettegree, and its music director, Dr Michael Downes.   Three staged performances were given by St Andrews Opera in the Byre Theatre, St Andrews in 2015.  This version, described as “sympathetic and highly singable” in Opera Magazine, was then used by the community group, Red Earth Opera, for two performances in Devon, in 2016 as part of the Teignmouth Music Festival.

In 2017, the module ran again when Julia and her students prepared a modernised English translation of Iphigénie en Aulide. This involved a collaboration with a new online venture called OpenScore, which makes uncopyrighted versions of musical scores freely available online. The transcription of the score, sponsored by the University of St Andrews, was the first opera to be released as part of the project. 

In 2019 the module ran for a third time. At the request of the new student-run Opera Society, Julia and her students prepared a translation of Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice. They worked closely with student opera director to create a bespoke modernised version in which Orphée and Eurydice enjoy a more equal relationship than in the original version. This version was performed in the Byre Theatre in October 2019, with more performances to follow.