Written on Skin / Lessons in Love & Violence DVD (The Royal Opera)

Written on Skin / Lessons in Love & Violence DVD collection features George Benjamin and Martin Crimp’s two award-winning full-length operas directed by the critically acclaimed Katie Mitchell in visually stunning productions with The Royal Opera.

Written on Skin was named ‘magic and irresistible … the best opera written over the last twenty years’ by Le Monde. The opera portrays a mysterious Boy who is asked to make an illuminated book by the cruel and influential Protector that would celebrate his wealth and family. An unexpected, radiant and tragic journey of self-discovery begins for his oppressed and young wife Agnès when the Protector invites the Boy into his home...

Lessons in Love and Violence showcases the fatal political consequences that personal relationships can have, based on the real-life relationship between Edward II and Piers Gaveston. A ripple effect of devastating events unfolds when the King banishes his military advisor Mortimer, having lived in a close but uneasy relationship with his wife Isabel, their two children and his lover Gaveston.

See our full collection of opera DVDs and Blu-rays.

With soprano Barbara Hannigan in the leading roles of Agnès and Isabel, watch two dazzling international casts.

Written on Skin
The Protector: Christopher Purves
Agnès: Barbara Hannigan
Angel 1 / The Boy: Bejun Mehta
Angel 2 / Marie: Victoria Simmonds
Angel 3 / John: Allan Clayton

Lessons in Love and Violence
King: Stéphane Degout
Isabel: Barbara Hannigan
Gaveston / Stranger: Gyula Orendt
Mortimer: Peter Hoare
Boy, Late Young King: Samuel Boden
Girl: Ocean Barrington-Cook

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor: George Benjamin
Music: George Benjamin
Text: Martin Crimp
Director: Katie Mitchell
Designer: Vicki Mortimer
Directed for the screen by Margaret Williams

Extra Features: An Introduction to Written on Skin; Interview with George Benjamin; Clemency Burton-Hill interviews George Benjamin, Martin Crimp and Katie Mitchell; Cast Galleries

Sound: Dolby Stereo + DTS Digital Surround
Format: NTSC
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Duration: 191 mins
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, JP (BOTH) KO (LIL&V)