NZ Opera's 2020 production of Eight Songs for a Mad King Photo: Jeff McEwan
Eight Songs for a Mad King is a short operatic monodrama by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies being staged by New Zealand Opera.
Robert Tucker sings the role of King George III, a vocal part that ranges over five octaves. He's joined by contemporary music ensemble Stroma, conducted by Hamish McKeich.
In each performance of director Thomas de Mallet Burgess' production, Robert sings the opera not once but twice. The audience is divided in half, one group listening outside the venue through headphones and watching through glass windows, and the other group inside the small performance space.
Robert Tucker in NZ Opera's 2020 production of Eight Songs for a Mad King Photo: Jeff McEwan
After the first time through there's an interval, and then the two audiences switch places for the repeat.
Clarissa Dunn spoke with Robert Tucker about the challenges of the role, and about some of his favourite music.
Eight Songs for a Mad King
Wellington 2, 4, 5, 7, March 8.30pm, RNZB Dance Centre, 115 Wakefield Street
Auckland 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 March 8.30pm, Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place
Christchurch 25, 26, 28, 29 March 8.30pm, Tūranga, 60 Cathedral Square
