The Dutch National Opera, Wiener Staatsoper and the Teatro Massimo are set to collaborate on a new opera entitled “Animal Farm.” 

The work by Moscow composer Alexander Raskatov is based on George Orwell’s book.

In the press release, the companies said, “The Vienna State Opera, the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam and the Teatro Massimo di Palermo have announced the world premiere of a new opera that has been jointly commissioned by the houses in a co-produced production.”

It added, “‘Animal Farm,’ based on George Orwell’s novella, composed by Alexander Raskatov, will premiere on March 4, 2023 in Amsterdam. The Vienna premiere will follow on February 28, 2024, with a new line-up and musical direction by Alexander Soddy. Damiano Michieletto is responsible for the production.”

The press release also noted that the director “Damiano Michieletto has long harbored the desire to bring Animal Farm to the opera stage; he is fascinated by the scenic potential of the fable’s surprising complications and sharply defined actors.”