Details

A unique two-part performance curated by leading contemporary composer Gavin Bryars. The first part of the performance features compositions by Muhly/Hegarty and Merchant, alongside those of electonic artist Mira Calix, Romanian violinist Alexander Balanescu, and Irish singer/songwriter Gavin Friday. Bringing together a unique set of musicians, Bryars has invited each guest artist to set their chosen sonnet to music. The arrangements will then be performed at The Sage, Gateshead on 13 March 2007 by singers John Potter (tenor) and Anna Maria Friman (soprano) and an eight piece chamber orchestra from Opera North directed by James Holmes. The opening half of Bryars' Nothing Like The Sun: The Sonnet Project will reflect the distinctive style of the five guest composers and straddle pop, contemporary and classical musical genres. The second half sees the premiere of Gavin Bryars' major new work - a 40 minute through composed piece based around seven of Shakespeare's sonnets. Nothing Like The Sun will be performed by the same ensemble using a mixture of music, song and speech and a specially commissioned film by film-maker Pippa Nissen bringing music, voice and image together in a new way.

Creatives/Company

Company: Opera North (in collaboration with the RSC)
Music(s): Gavin Bryars, Natalie Merchant, Antony Hegarty, Liz Fraser, Gavin Friday, Alexander Balanescu