The Knott Garden

Synopsis

A labyrinthine garden becomes the stage for an exploration of human psyche and relationships.

In this avant-garde opera, Michael Tippett skillfully depicts seven characters whose lives intertwine in a symbolic knot garden. At the centre of this psychological maze stands Mangus, a psychoanalyst attempting to orchestrate the unfolding drama of human emotions.

Tippett’s libretto crackles with tension as the characters navigate their intricate relationships, each struggling with issues of identity, sexuality, and personal freedom. The composer’s eclectic score, blending jazz, pop, and classical influences, creates a rich auditory landscape that mirrors the emotional turbulence on stage. Drawing heavily on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the opera builds to a surreal climax where reality and fantasy blur.