Lennox RIGHTABOUTNOW INC. / De Nationale Opera

Lennox knows that his father suffers from a mysterious illness, but he is not told exactly what is wrong. When his father forgets to bring his lucky necklace to a hospital appointment one day, Lennox decides to go after him together with his best friend.

For the original book, author Zindzi Zevenbergen received the Silver Griffel in 2022; illustrators Hedy Tjin and Brian Elstak won the Silver Penseel. Their dynamic illustrations are a major visual source of inspiration for this performance.

Multi-instrumentalist and producer Bnnyhunna (Benjamin Ankomah) is writing his first opera with Lennox . For his music at the intersection of jazz, gospel, afro, and hip-hop, he received the Buma Music in Media Award in 2023. For the composition of Lennox , Bnnyhunna is collaborating with Neo Muyuanga, the composer of How ANANSI Liberated the Stories of the World. Maarten van Hinte (2023 Theatre Writing Prize) is adapting the book into an opera libretto, and Marjorie Boston is directing.

During the creative process, the text and music were further developed during studio work sessions with the artistic team, musicians, and cast. The process was inspired by working methods from hip-hop (the cypher) and jazz, but also by the Camerata fiorentina, the group of artists and thinkers who, in the late 16th century, stood at the cradle of the very first operas.