Opera Scotland

Bolted

An opera for voices, cello and soundscape

Tours by location

music by Pippa Murphy

libretto by Ben Harrison

In the stable block, three human beings are locked in a triangle. Amidst the sounds of shifting hay, and heavy breath, a girl grooms her horse, plaiting the mane, brushing the coat, more sensuous and shimmering than any human skin... The boy, adrift, fascinated by the girl, his eyes locked on her hands as they weave the hair and make all perfect in the stall.  But where is his place?  The doleful, mysterious eye of the horse, liquid and dark, looks upon the boy and upon the girl.  Who will run?  Can we lock the stable door after the horse has bolted?