Knot Garden, The

Opera by Michael Tippett (libretto by the composer), first produced at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on 2 December 1970, conducted by Colin Davis. It tells how, under the auspices of the psychoanalyst Mangus, Faber and Thea overcome marital difficulties, and how the gay couple Mel and Dov separate when Mel's lust is directed towards Thea's sister, Denise.