Joubert's Jane Eyre

Some weeks ago, we posted information concerning the US premiere of Michael Berkeley's opera Jane Eyre in Saint Louis. The opera was on stage in London, at the Covent Garden, in the 2000-2001 Season and is available on CD.

What we didn't know is that another opera about Jane Eyre practically contemporary is trying to find its way. John Joubert (Cape Town, 20 March 1927), a composer now resident in Birmingham worked for almost a decade (1987-1997) in a Jane Eyre opera with libretto by Kenneth Birkin. The opus number is 134.

Last September 23, the CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) dedicated a programme to the opera. Some of the themes of Jane Eyre have been arranged for piano by the same composer in his Lyric Fantasy, Op. 144 (2000) (that appears, for instance, in the repertory of some pianists as Mark Bebbington).

The Brontë inspiration has accompanied Joubert in other compositions. In 1968, he already completed Six Poems of Emily Bronte, for high voice and piano Op. 63.

Categories: Opera, , Music, Jane_Eyre, Charlotte_Brontë