Opera: Picture a Day like this

by George Benjamin
Teatro di San Carlo, Naples 2025-10-24 ... 2025-10-26

Experience the thought-provoking and evocative opera Picture a day like this, composed by the renowned George Benjamin , performed at the prestigious Teatro di San Carlo in Naples on 24 and 26 October 2025 season. Benjamin, one of the most celebrated contemporary composers, has crafted a one-act opera that delves into the depths of human emotion, featuring a libretto by his frequent collaborator, the acclaimed playwright Martin Crimp. This immersive production invites audiences on a transformative journey, filled with intricate musical textures and emotionally charged narratives.
Premiering in 2022 at the Aix-en-Provence Festival, *Picture a day like this* quickly garnered attention for its intimate yet universal themes and Benjamin’s masterful balance of minimalist and lush musical elements.
The opera is noted for its concise but impactful structure, packing emotional depth into its brief runtime of just over an hour. The libretto by Crimp, known for his sharp and poetic use of language, complements Benjamin’s music, creating a work that is at once both musically and theatrically engaging. Its story of a woman’s search for a perfect day as a remedy for profound grief speaks to timeless human concerns, making it relevant for audiences across generations. Now, with its Italian premiere at the Teatro di San Carlo, Picture a day like this continues its journey across Europe’s most prestigious stages, drawing new audiences into the world of contemporary opera.

Travel Package Teatro San Carlo Naples

Music trip to Naples for 3 days / 2 nights with premium tickets for the opera Picture a day like this at the Teatro San Carlo Naples.
The travel package includes 3 days with 2 nights in one of our selected hotels in Naples and is put together according to your wishes. You can choose between the Essential and Superior packages, request additional nights, and a subsequent program to explore Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Italy.

Teatro San Carlo

The San Carlo Theater was built in 1737 and is the oldest opera house in the world. The Italian opera temple San Carlo is a symbol of the city of Naples. Enjoy our music package with a magnificent performance and an exclusive leisure program in Naples. You can select between the essential package and add individual services that we offer with the superior program.
Teatro di San Carlo, one of Italy’s most iconic and historically significant opera houses, offers the perfect stage for this modern masterpiece. As the oldest continuously active opera house in the world, the Teatro di San Carlo is famed for both its rich tradition and its ability to embrace groundbreaking works, making it the ideal venue to experience Benjamin’s spellbinding opera.

The Story of Picture a day like this

Picture a day like this tells the story of a woman’s quest for happiness after an unimaginable loss. In a world where the boundaries of time and space blur, the protagonist searches for a single perfect day that might restore her sense of purpose. The music, driven by Benjamin’s distinct compositional voice, intricately weaves through moments of longing, reflection, and revelation, offering both the performers and the audience a deeply emotional and meditative experience.

Picture a day like this marks yet another compelling collaboration between composer George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp, whose partnership has produced some of the most significant contemporary operas of the 21st century. This one-act opera follows the international success of their previous works, Written on Skin and Lessons in Love and Violence, both of which received widespread critical acclaim for their profound storytelling and Benjamin’s exquisite use of orchestration.

The Artists and Creative Team

Under the baton of Corinna Niemeyer, and with a visually arresting production by Daniel Jeanneteau and Marie-Christine Soma, this opera promises to be an unforgettable journey through the complexities of grief, healing, and the human desire for meaning.

Opera in one act
Libretto by Martin Crimp

Orchestra of Teatro di San Carlo
Sung in English with Italian and English surtitles
Running time: approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes, without interval

Commission and Production of Teatro di San Carlo in coproduction with Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Opéra National du Rhin, Opéra Comique de Paris, Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Oper Köln

Conductor • Corinna Niemeyer
Stage Direction, Set and Lighting Design, Dramaturgy • Daniel Jeanneteau and Marie-Christine Soma
Costume Design • Marie La Rocca
Video • Hicham Berrada

Cast
Woman • Marianne Crebassa
Zabelle • Anna Prohaska
Lover 1 / Composer • Beate Mordal
Lover 2 / Composer’s Assistant • Cameron Shahbazi
Artisan / Collector • John Brancy
Actors • Lisa Grandmottet, Eulalie Rambaud, Matthieu Baquey

Booking Process

Music trip to Naples for 3 days / 2 nights with premium tickets for the opera Picture a day like this. The highlight is a visit to the famous Teatro San Carlo on the second evening to experience a magnificent performance in a world-famous environment with global stars. You can select between Essential and Superior Package.

Each travel package will be composed according to your wishes. Follow the booking process:

Select a Date
Press “Add to cart” and “Send Request”
When we receive your booking request, you will get an individual offer with some hotels to choose from. Only after your decision, we send you a travel contract to confirm the booking.
Description of the Essential and Superior Package