The Well-Tempered Ear

Classical music news: Ian McEwan’s “Atonement” to become an opera. Which contemporary novels would be like to see made into operas?

By Jacob Stockinger

A reminder: It’s spring break. Because of staffing for the blog, your comments may take a bit longer to get posted. But don’t despair — they will get there.

Hey, this is no April Fool’s joke.

First, it was a best-selling novel.

Then it was a popular and award-winning movie with James McAvoy and Keira Knightley as the main chacters (below).

And now British author Ian McEwan’s novel “Atonement” – a rich plotted and beautifully written story about class society, love and World War II – is set to become an opera.

It’s a timely announcement, especially since McEwan (below top) has a new novel “Solar” (below bottom) just out in the U.S.

Here is a link to the story:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/mar/19/ian-mcewan-atonement-opera

What do you think of the idea?

It certainly is ripe with suggestions for sumptuous sets and landscapes.

Take a look at the original trailer for the movie, which has had more than one million views on YouTube:

Just the idea seems to guarantee success, no? But it’s funny how second-rate poems and novels can make for first-rate songs and operas, and how first-rate novels and poems can make for second-rate music.

What singers should play the main characters?

What other novels – by McEwan or anybody else – would you likle to see made into an opera?

The Ear wants to hear.