Written On Skin at Opera Philadelphia

A thrilling portrait of godliness and lust

A powerful land-owner, the Protector, commissions a young artist to create an illuminated manuscript celebrating his life and family. When a relationship develops between the Boy and the Protector’s wife, Agnès, she compels him to reveal their clandestine love within his illustrations. Both passion and violence erupt in the household; all the while, a mysterious cluster of angels watches the story unfold. Drawn from a 12th century legend but with a contemporary twist, George Benjamin's first full-length opera has received wide critical acclaim since its 2012 premiere. Now this thrilling tale, with a haunting text by Martin Crimp, makes its Philadelphia debut.