Philip Venables: 4.48 Psychosis - A Chamber Opera in One Act After Sarah Kane

Product Information

• Genre: Stage Work
• Language: English
• Grade: 3
• Weight: 1.54 kg
• Publisher: Ricordi
• Item Number: RICL00034800
• Other Reference: RICL00034800
• ISMN: 9790570029976 / 979-0570029976

Overview

"4.48 Psychosis" is a bold and groundbreaking chamber opera composed by Philip Venables, based on the final and most personal work by British playwright Sarah Kane. Premiered in 2016 by the Royal Opera in collaboration with the Guildhall School, the opera represents a significant milestone in 21st-century music theatre for its unflinching exploration of mental illness, identity, and the boundaries of the self. Kane's original play—fragmented, poetic, and deeply introspective—offers no stage directions or named characters, presenting a unique challenge for musical adaptation. Venables responds to this challenge with a radically inventive score, incorporating spoken word, extended vocal techniques, chamber ensemble, electronics, and surtitles as a dramatic element. The result is a visceral and immersive experience, blurring the lines between opera, theatre, and performance art.

The opera navigates the emotional landscape of depression, suicidal ideation, and psychological fragmentation with profound sensitivity and artistic integrity. Through carefully crafted musical structures and recurring motifs, Venables mirrors the cyclical, chaotic nature of the human mind under emotional distress. Voices overlap, interrupt, and echo each other, reflecting the internal turmoil and isolation central to Kane’s text. "4.48 Psychosis" is more than a faithful adaptation—it is a transformative reimagining that gives new sonic life to Kane’s words while honoring the raw honesty and lyrical beauty of the original play. Designed for advanced performers and intended for mature audiences, this one-act opera challenges traditional operatic conventions, making it a landmark work in contemporary opera. Acclaimed for its emotional power, artistic bravery, and psychological depth, 4.48 Psychosis has been praised as “a revelation” (The Guardian) and remains one of the most important operatic works to emerge in recent years, confronting taboo subjects with empathy, intensity, and innovation.

Product Features

• Format: Score and Parts
• Instrumentation: Various instruments suitable for chamber opera
• Performance Level: Grade 3, suitable for intermediate musicians
• Duration: Approximately 60 minutes

Interesting Facts

• Adaptation Significance: This opera is notable for being the first to adapt Sarah Kane's work, bringing her poignant exploration of mental health to the operatic stage. The piece is a powerful meditation on the nature of depression, reflecting Kane's own struggles and experiences.
• Critical Reception: The opera has received acclaim for its ability to translate Kane's raw and emotional text into a musical form, effectively conveying the complexities of mental illness through both music and performance.
• Composer Background: Philip Venables, born in 1979, is a British composer recognized for his innovative works that often explore challenging themes. His compositions are celebrated for their dramatic instincts and ability to engage audiences on a deep emotional level.

Publishers

Published by Ricordi, a respected music publishing house that specializes in classical and contemporary music, ensuring the preservation and promotion of significant works.

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#PhilipVenables #448Psychosis #ChamberOpera #SarahKane #Ricordi