Hadrian and Antinous

The opera this afternoon on Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) (I hear it out of Windsor) was Hadrian by Rufus Wainright. Yes, that Rufus Wainright, the pop singer. He’s been fascinated by opera for quite a while. This is the second opera he’s written. The first had mixed reviews, but the Canadian Opera Company saw enough promise to commission a second opera.

I’m pleased a gay pop singer chose a gay relationship for the center of the opera. Hadrian was an emperor of ancient Rome. One thing he is known for is his love for Antinous (another is Hadrian’s Wall in England).

Act 1: Hadrian is near death, grieving the loss of Antinous. As part of a chance to eliminate enemies he accepts a deal to relive two days of his life.

Act 2: The first of those days is the day he met Antinous. The youth had saved the emperor’s life. There are prophesies that Antinous will sacrifice himself for the emperor.

Act 3: The second day is six years later, Hadrian’s wife Sabina knows their marriage is without love. She leads palace intrigue, and Antinous is killed.

Act 4: Back in the later time as Hadrian dies the plotters realize Hadrian really did love Antinous. The two are reunited in the afterlife.

Yeah, that is a simplification of a 2½ hour plot.

The music is in a modern style and quite different from what the singer would use in his pop concerts.

I’m not impressed with the music or the story. I’m delighted that a gay relationship is at the core. I’m also delighted that such a story didn’t scare off the Canadian Opera Company.