The partly legendary and partly historical Lucretia is a figure whose death heralded the end of the Roman Monarchy and onset of the Roman Republic. The story has served as an inspiration for, among others, Henry Chaucer, Botticelli, Shakespeare, Rembrandt, Niccolò Machiavelli – and Benjamin Britten. With his chamber opera, the composer follows in the path of classical tragedy; standing in the centre of this astonishingly intimate work is the star-crossed woman whose faithfulness is gambled over by men.

On the hundredth anniversary of the great English composer’s birthday, 22 November 2013 to be precise, the piece was etched into Budapest operatic history for the first time, and even then only on a single occasion. The semi-staged production will enter the repertoire from this year under the direction of János Csányi, and with a cast of young artists. The chamber opera will also be performed in a new location and revised production at the Music Academy’s György Solti Hall on three occasions in November 2014.