Composer

:

Olav Anton Thommessen

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1970-1980

Average_duration

:

01:43:59

Hermafroditten is an opera composed by Olav Anton Thommessen in 1973. The plot revolves around a hermaphrodite, a person with both male and female genitalia, who is struggling to find their place in society. The hermaphrodite is portrayed by two singers, one male and one female, who alternate singing the role throughout the opera. The opera is divided into three movements, each exploring different aspects of the hermaphrodite's experience. The first movement, titled "The Birth," depicts the hermaphrodite's birth and early childhood, as they struggle to understand their own identity and deal with the reactions of those around them. The second movement, "The Struggle," follows the hermaphrodite as they try to find acceptance in society. They face discrimination and rejection from both men and women, and struggle to find a place where they belong. The final movement, "The Transformation," sees the hermaphrodite undergo a physical transformation, as they choose to undergo surgery to remove one set of genitalia. This decision is not without its own challenges, as the hermaphrodite must come to terms with the loss of a part of their identity. Thommessen's opera premiered in Oslo, Norway in 1973, and has since been performed in various locations around the world. The music is characterized by its use of dissonance and unconventional vocal techniques, which serve to underscore the emotional turmoil of the hermaphrodite's journey. Overall, Hermafroditten is a powerful exploration of gender identity and the struggle for acceptance in a society that often fails to understand or accept those who do not fit neatly into traditional gender roles.

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