King Priam - Tippett, Sir Michael

Tippett's second opera 'King Priam' is based on Homer's great epic poem 'Iliad'. The Trojan War forms the background during large part of the drama. In terms of music and subject matter, 'King Priam' stands out clearly from Tippett's first opera 'The Midsummer Marriage'. The main focus is not on the development of the music as a whole but on the development of individual characters who are associated with certain instruments. The increasing use of chromaticism and dissonances makes it difficult to recognize tonal centres. 'King Priam' marks a decisive break with the past. Never again was Tippett to return to conventional tonality in a major work.