The Place, London, November 1994.
Colchester, Manchester and Bath, November 1994.
Zagreb Biennale, Croatia April 1997 - British Council.
3 male voices
string quartet
keyboard
percussion
flute (improvised)
Duration: 90 minutes.
© Jenni Roditi 1992
Synopsis
Inanna the Opera is a tale of maturation. It begins with the SPINNER (sung by the composer) who sets the scene and takes us back in time 5000 years to the land of Sumer, where mankind built the first city. The Spinner introduces ENKI god of wisdom, and ERESHKIGAL goddess of the Netherworld and of the unconscious. Their encounter batters the earth with creation storms, uprooting the magical HULLUPU TREE.
Enter INANNA a virginal goddess intoxicated with the love of life singing SHARE MY JOY. She rescues the Tree which in turn promises extraordinary gifts: A Shining Throne, A Shining Bed, and Keys to Every Door; but first she encounters three invaders; a SNAKE, the ANZU BIRD and a WOMAN STRANGE called LILETH, who have inhabited the Tree. They are evicted by GILGAMESH, a hero of epic proportions.
Now INANNA can enter her walled city of Uruk bringing with her the fabulous gifts, including the equivocal gift of Descent, to a rapturous welcome form the CITIZENS. Her brother UTU introduces her to the mortal DUMUZI, but, as they fall in love his second sighted sister GESHTINNA foretells of a Deep Dividing. The CITIZENS celebrate the coming years of prosperity: " Jubilation!"
As the wheel of life turns, the happy couple grow careless with each other and INANNA, to the frustration of DUMUZI, feels compelled to explore the gift of Descent. She enters the Netherworld.
Here her dark sister ERESHKIGAL insists that INANNA divests her symbols of authority and enters naked, tormented by HAIRY GALLA, agents of hell. INANNA accepts every humiliation in order to look ERESHKIGAL in the eye, and when she does is treated to the Eyes of Death.
ENKI sends two HOLY FLIES to rescue INANNA 'for a goddess may not die'. She crawls out of the Netherworld, bruised and battered, pestered by the HAIRY GALLA and cursed with the burden of sending a replacement.
On re-meeting DUMUZI she is disgusted by his squandering of power and lack of mourning: INANNA hands the sentence to him. DUMUZI desperately prays the ENKI for disguises: a snake, a gazelle, a white bull, but all in vain, he is run to earth by the HAIRY GALLA.
GESTINANNA intervenes, and the Galla arrows are frozen as she begs to be allowed to take her brothers place. INANNA is so moved by this demonstration of love that she divides the sentence. The seasons are born, husband and wife are reconciled and the WHOLE COMPANY sings 'Naked we stand before you'.
Lyn Gambles, 1992
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