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Les Bienveillantes (The Kindly Ones)

180'

French, German

Synopsis

A retelling of Aeschylus's Oresteia set during WWII. The protagonist, Max Aue, a refined, homosexual SS officer, participates in the war's atrocities while being haunted by his past. He is coerced into service after being caught in a Berlin park, and his story includes episodes like the Babi Yar massacre and an incestuous affair with his sister Una. The Eumenides (Furies) are represented by a pair of detectives who trail him

Composer

Hèctor Parra (1976)

Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright

Händl Klaus, based on the eponymous novel by Jonathan Littell

Year of composition/publication / premiere

2018

Genre

Opera

LGBTQAI+ category

Gay, Queer

Level of centrality

Main character

Characters

Maximilian Aue (Max)

Voice type

Tenor

Pronouns

he/him

Publisher / Rights holder

Durand Éditions Musicales / Universal Music Publishing Classical

Where to buy / access the work

Performance materials available via Durand Salabert Eschig

Performance rights

For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.