 Press Release Friday 10 April 2026 Jette Parker Artists premiere new chamber version of Elena Langer’s comic opera Four Sisters as part of triple bill Tales of Love and Loss An exciting triple bill of contemporary female composers Director Talia Stern makes her Royal Opera debut Audio description, BSL and Relaxed performance on 6 May An opportunity to see opera’s stars of the future up close in the Linbury Theatre 1 – 9 May Tickets available at www.rbo.org.uk from £3 This spring, the Jette Parker Artists shine a light on contemporary female composers with Tales of Love and Loss, a thought-provoking triple bill. Directed by Talia Stern, who makes her Royal Opera debut, and conducted by Peggy Wu, this collection of one act chamber operas gives audiences the opportunity to see opera’s next generation of world class talent in the intimate setting of the Linbury Theatre. Adding to the excitement, the triple bill includes the world premiere of the chamber version of Elena Langer’s comedy opera Four Sisters. Commissioned by Dawn Upshaw in 2012, the original work has previously been staged by New York’s Bard College, the National Opera Studio and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Composed from 1961 to 2012, each piece has a distinct tone, style and atmosphere. Haunting explorations of lost love feature in Elizabeth Maconchy’s The Departure (1961) and Charlotte Bray’s Making Arrangements (2012) tells a poignant and dramatic tale in which infidelity and inattention prompt the fracturing of a relationship. Lastly, Elena Langer’s quirky Four Sisters (2012) depicts three sisters’ shameless dreams of wealth following the death of their business tycoon father. With a libretto by John Lloyd-Davis, it’s possibly the first opera to rhyme the phrase, ‘Time is a great healer’ with ‘Tequila’! Elena Langer, Composer said: “This new chamber version of the opera has been created especially to premiere in the Linbury Theatre. It was fun to reduce the music from the big symphony orchestra to an ensemble of 14 instruments while trying to keep big effects and lush textures and it has been exciting to see opera’s up-and-coming talent take on these roles. Four Sisters is my first comic opera. The music is intentionally eclectic featuring everything from calypso moments, waltz moments and even some 12-tone moments. I’ve also created contrasts in tempi, moods and situations.” Each piece is brought to life by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita‘s innovative designs and lighting design from Peter Small with movement direction by Natasha Harrison. The performance on Wednesday 6 May will be Relaxed with Audio Description, British Sign Language and Captions. A dedicated Touch Tour will also run before the show. The Jette Parker Artists Programme is generously supported by Oak Foundation. |
