GORMENGHAST. Oper
nach der Gormenghast-Trilogie von Mervyn Peake

Lady Gertrude gives birth to her son Titus at Gormenghast Palace, an ancient, labyrinthine palace full of hidden corners. At the same time, the kitchen boy Steerpike escapes the botherings of the court cook. His adventurous flight leads him to the roofs of the palace which are full of gables. Intoxicated by the sublime view, he falls asleep, exhausted. In his sleep, he is surprised by Fuchsia, the daughter of Lord and Lady Groan – he succeeds, however, in winning her over and so his flight remains undiscovered. Fuchsia introduces the endlessly ambitious young man to her aunts, the twin sisters Cora and Clarissa. Through skilful flattery, he gains their trust and is hired as servant and advisor. Obeying his hunger for power, the childlike sisters become his willing tools. Lady Gertrude has meanwhile utterly devoted herself to the care of her beloved pets – Lord Sepulchrave’s passion, on the other hand, is his giant library. The young Titus, who refuses to speak, grows up in this gloomy environment. During one of the mysterious rituals which determine the course of life at Gormenghast, Steerpike sets the library on fire. He acts heroically in helping to extinguish the fire, gaining the favour of the Lord and Lady and becomes apprentice and helper of the master of the rituals, the evil dwarf Barquentine. Steerpike silences the twins, the only witnesses to his false game. Lord Sepulchrave sinks into deep melancholy over the loss of his precious books. The silent Titus is the only one who sees through Steerpike’s
dangerous plans. Barquentine is killed by Steerpike, who then becomes the master of rituals and ultimately the ruler at Gormenghast. Fuchsia plunges to her death in desperation and Titus looks for refuge in the palace kitchen to escape Steerpike’s murderous pursuits. In the kitchen, after a mysterious initiation, he is transformed into Steerpike’s equal adversary. In love with his power, the former kitchen boy tortures the lady’s pets and mocks his former mistress. Titus appears, kills Steerpike and turns his back on the gruesome palace forever.

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