The ancient Roman tale of the violation of the virtuous Lucretia by the vicious Tarquinius receives a haunting treatment as two modern observers, one male and one female, attempt to interpret the events even as they unfold. The pair seeks to find spiritual meaning and redemption in a hellish act of violence.

Britten composed The Rape of Lucretia in 1946, in a world still reeling from the horrors of World War II. The opera continues to resonate today as we face a rising surge of violence throughout the world.

A chamber opera, written for a small orchestra and cast, The Rape of Lucretia is perfectly suited for the Maryland Opera Studio’s fall production, which uses minimal scenic and costume elements to focus the storytelling on the singers’ voices and acting.