RSC hosts New Music Concert on Sunday 26 October at The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
25 September 2008
On Sunday 26 October, musicians from the Royal Shakespeare Company will take centre stage at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon to present a New Music Concert.
Devised by RSC Head of Music, John Woolf, the concert will include the eight works that have been specially commissioned by the RSC since 2000. Two of these, by young composers Martin Suckling and Michael Cryne, will be receiving their first performance. Other commissioned works are by internationally renowned composers Craig Armstrong, Mark-Anthony Turnage, and former RSC Heads of Music, Guy Woolfenden and Stephen Warbeck.
Joining the musicians will be RSC actors Penny Downie, Mariah Gale, Mark Hadfield and Peter de Jersey in a concert that will combine music with spoken word, drawing on readings from Homer to the present day.
John Woolf, RSC Head of Music said: “The first half of the programme is themed around The Tempest, and the second has a theme of Ophelia. Other ideas revolve around water and earth. The RSC has a strong tradition of commissioning original music for its productions and using live musicians during its performances. I am delighted that this concert will showcase the work of both the musicians and composers.”
The programme is:
| Michael Cryne |
|
Between Scylla and Charybdis |
| John Woolf |
|
Ariel Songs |
| Craig Armstrong |
|
Tempest Music |
| Bruce O’Neil |
|
The Coiner |
| Sianed Jones |
|
Caliban and Afagddu |
| Michael Nyman+ |
|
Masque Arias |
Interval
| Philip Wilby* |
|
Classic Images |
| Stephen Warbeck |
|
The Death of Ophelia |
| Guy Woolfenden |
|
Penumbra |
| Mark-Anthony Turnage |
|
Ophelia’s Lament |
| Martin Suckling |
|
The Island |
* The Philip Wilby piece was inspired by images from Ansel Adams’ iconic collection of photographs of the natural world in the USA. The photographs will be projected during the performance.
+ The Michael Nyman piece will include choreography by Anna Morrissey.
Further information
RSC New Music Concert
Sunday 26 October, 7.30pm
The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Tickets £12 (£10 concessions)
0844 800 1110 or www.rsc.org.uk
For more information please contact:
Dean Asker
RSC Press Office
01789 412660
mailto:dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
