The Martyrdom of St Magnus is a chamber opera in one act (with nine scenes) by the British composer Peter Maxwell Davies. The libretto, by Davies himself, is based on the novel Magnus by George Mackay Brown. The opera was first performed in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney on 18 June 1977.
Roles RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 18 June 1977Conductor: Peter Maxwell DaviesEarl Magnus/PrisonertenorNeil MackieNorse Herald/Litolf/Keeper of the LoombaritoneBrian Rayner CookWelsh Herald/TempterbaritoneMichael RipponEarl Hakon/OfficerbassJan ComboyBlind Marymezzo-sopranoMary Thomas
Synopsis The opera tells the story of Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney, who became a Christian saint and martyr. The nine scenes are entitled: 1. The Battle of Menai Strait; 2. The Temptations of Magnus; 3. The Curse of Blind Mary; 4. The Peace Parley; 5.Magnus's Journey to the Isle of Egilsay; 6.Earl Hakon plots to murder Magnus; 7. The Reporters; 8. The Sacrifice; 9. The Miracle.
References
Further reading Holden, Amanda (ed.), The New Penguin Opera Guide, New York: Penguin Putnam, 2001.