“‘Opera North is thrilled to be involved in the development of this important and vital new work”
Dominic Gray, Director of Projects, Opera North.
Montage: Seamus Conlan/Robert Golden
With affiliated partners Opera North and collaborating with the Hebrides Ensemble, Opera Circus presents four work in progress performances of a new commission, Naciketa – a musical epic/opera.
Music by Nigel Osborne and libretto by Ariel Dorfman.
I love it that, in the final scene of our epic/opera, even Death sings along; I love it that all the characters join Naciketa in that concluding, conclusive chorus. Because music was there at the start of our humanity, was there, some say, at the origin of language, as the first agreement with the elements that our species needed, the first understanding of how w are to survive. Some would say, and I would concur, that music was there before humanity rose and sang of sunsets and sunrises. Some would say music was there at the origin of the sun and the stars that make the universe turn. Some would say that it was in the hope that there would be music that the universe created itself. So it would not be lonely. So we would not entirely die. Ariel Dorfman, May 2010
Performances – all at 7pm/19.00
29 Sept Howard Assembly Room, Opera North Leeds Box Office: Invitation only www.operanorth.co.uk
1 Oct Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh (box office details to be advised)
3 Oct Clore Studio, Royal Opera House (box office contact to be advised but invited guests please confirm on tina@operacircus.co.uk)
4 Oct Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport, Dorset. Box office: 01304 424 204 or www.bridport-arts.com
On the 5th October Nigel Osborne and Ariel Dorfman will be in conversation about their work as artists and as human and civil rights activists at the Bridport Arts Centre at 10.30 am. Tickets £5 from Bridport Arts Centre.
There is no charge for the work in progress performances but Ariel and Nigel with the company look forward to discussing opinions about the extracts of the proposed new work with the audience after the 70 minute performance. Please call the box offices of the relevant venues to reserve a seat as we expect to be full for each evening.
We would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters to date:
ACE, Foyle Foundation, PRS Foundation, RVW Trust, Britten Pears Foundation, Tony Mackintosh, the Groucho Club, Wanda Kim, Kay Ellen Consolver, Leche Trust, The Radcliffe Trust, The Bridport Arts Centre, University of Edinburgh, ROH2 in association with the Royal Opera House and especially Opera North and the Hebrides Ensemble and the Opera Circus Board of Trustees who provide huge support and encouragement to us all.
Click on projects and then Naciketa for further details. Also please view the short film further down on this page and see Nigel and Ariel talking about the beginnings of their work together on Naciketa.