The Merchant of Venice (opera)
The Merchant of Venice is an opera by André Tchaikowsky (1935–1982) to a libretto, based on the Shakespeare play, by John O'Brien. Written between 1968 and 1982, it was first performed in 2013 at the Bregenz Festival. The British premiere was presented by the Welsh National Opera in September 2016.
André Tchaikowsky as a young man
André Tchaikowsky was a Polish composer and pianist. In addition to his musical work, he is perhaps best known for bequeathing his skull to the Royal Shakespeare Company for use as Yorick in Hamlet.
André Tchaikowsky as a young man
In accordance with Tchaikowsky's wishes, his skull has been used as a theatrical prop by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Here, actor David Tennant uses Tchaikowsky's skull in a 2008 production of Hamlet.