The Thirteenth Child


The Thirteenth Child is an English-language opera in two acts, composed by Danish composer Poul Ruders in 2016, to a libretto by Ruders's manager Becky Starobin and her husband, guitarist David Starobin. The opera, Ruders fifth, is inspired by the fairytale "The Twelve Brothers".
Prior to being performed on stage, the opera was recorded for the Starobin family's Bridge Records label.
The premiere production was commissioned by Santa Fe Opera and the Odense Symfoniorkester.

Performance history

The opera premiered on 27 July 2019 at Santa Fe Opera. Paul Daniel conducted the staging by Darko Tresnjak, the set was designed by Alexander Dodge, costumes designed by Rita Ryack, lighting design by York Kennedy, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, chorus master was
Susanne Sheston.

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 27 July 2019
Conductor: Paul Daniel
King Hjarne of Frohagordparanoid bassDavid Leigh
Queen Gertrude of Frohagordtragic contraltoTamara Mumford
Lyra, Princess of Frohagordinnocent sopranoJessica E. Jones
Frederic, Prince of Hauvenproud tenorJoshua Dennis
Drokan, Regent of the kingdom of Hauvenscheming bass-baritoneBradley Garvin
Benjamin, youngest Prince of Frohagordgood-hearted tenorBilly Bruley
Corbin, eldest Prince of Frohagordworried bassDavid Leigh
Toke, second eldest Princeworried tenorAnthony Ciaramitaro

Instrumentation

2 clarinets, 2 saxophones, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in B♭, 2 trombones, tuba, 2 percussion sections, harp, piano, 3 synthesizers, 10 violins, 8 violas, 6 cellos, 2 double bass.

Recording