POUL RUDERS (b.1949): Selma Jezková.

Description: This is an operatic retelling of Lars von Trier's award-winning piece of cinematic misery, 'Dancer in the Dark', the story of a poor factory worker enduring encroaching blindness who escapes her drab, grinding life by practicing songs from musicals; saves money for a sight-saving operation for her son; commits a murder and, refusing to divulge the circumstances, is hanged. Ruders' score has nothing in common with the music from the movie; Selma's naïve, popular melodies here, like the rest of the music, are original to the opera. The music is vintage Ruders, largely tonal with interpolated harsh dissonances as special effects, drawing on influences from Mahler and Wagner through Ruders' Scandinavian and Baltic forebears and peers, with Shostakovich a significant background presence. The vertiginous, shadowy sets are highly effective, and the production is filmed for maximum dramatic effect, placing the viewer in the thick of the action. Ylva Kihlberg (soprano), Palle Knudsen, Guido Paevatalu (baritones), Hanne Fischer (mezzo), Royal Danish Orchestra; Michael Schønwandt. 16:9 widescreen. NTSC region 0. Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1. 73 min. + 47 min. bonus material.