Please note: This concert is in the past and has already taken place.

The Life to Come

A new opera by Louis Mander and Stephen Fry

Part of the Surrey Opera 2017 'The Life To Come' (world premiere) Series

Add to my Calendar 29-10-2017 15:00 29-10-2017 17:00 36 The Life to Come Surrey Opera are proud to present the World Premiere of a new opera in two acts based on the E.M Forster story ‘The Life To Come”, with music by talented young composer Louis ander and libretto by renowned actor, presenter and writer Stephen Fry. The opera is the powerful and tragic story of the love between Edwardian Christian Missionary Paul Pinmay and the African Tribal chief he came to convert, Vithobai. It explores the forbidden relationship between the two men and the repercussions it has on them, their lives and their families and communities. It addresses spiritual and religious conflicts in the tension between prejudices and freedom. In the words of Stephen Fry: “The Life To Come” is one of E. M. Forster’s most beguiling and brilliant short stories. It is simultaneously romantic, satirical, passionate, comic, tragic and mysterious. It speaks of colonialism, sexuality, love and religion in unique ways. The dramatic structure struck me as ideal for an opera and when the outrageously talented young Louis Mander and I talked about collaborating and he evinced a similar enthusiasm, it all just fell into place.” Louis Mander adds:   “When Stephen and I first set about collaborating on the creative process of the opera I was fired up with passionate musical ideas; arching melodies, rich harmonies and orchestral colours which arose from the highly exotic and erotic subject matter of EM Forster's immaculately beautiful short story The Life to Come. In all honesty, when Stephen suggested the collection of short stories by Forster, I had no idea when greedily devouring them, that it would be this Colonial African love story between an African Prince and a British missionary. Themes of religiosity, heart-splitting homosexual passion and sweltering North African exoticism exploded in my imagination all at once. It was an absolute dream working alongside Stephen Fry who has written a libretto so powerfully emotive and which drives the plot of the story through with real mastery. Generous as ever to bring forward the truth and wealth of storytelling, Stephen and I have tried to polish this jewel of a story by the shining light of English literature, Edward Morgan Forster.” With romantic and tuneful music, this work is an exciting addition to 21st Century opera and the repertoire. Surrey Opera presents a new fully staged production of the opera, with a cast of established and emerging professional singers, full orchestra and the well regarded Surrey Opera Chorus. The production is conducted and directed by Surrey Opera's Artistic Director Jonathan Butcher and designed by Jill Wilson. Roedean School Theatre, Brighton DD/MM/YYYY

Details

Roedean School Theatre
Roedean Way
Brighton
East Sussex
BN2 5RQ
England


Programme

Mander LouisThe Life to Come (world premiere)

Performers

Jonathan Butcher – Conductor
Martin Lindau – Tenor
Themba Mvula – baritone
Jonathan Forbes Kennedy – baritone
Hannah Poulsom – mezzo-soprano
Jolyon Loy – baritone
Stephen Fry – librettist

Surrey Opera Orchestra
Surrey Opera
Surrey Opera Chorus

Other concerts in this Series (+)

Programme Note

Surrey Opera are proud to present the World Premiere of a new opera in two acts based on the E.M Forster story ‘The Life To Come”, with music by talented young composer Louis ander and libretto by renowned actor, presenter and writer Stephen Fry.

The opera is the powerful and tragic story of the love between Edwardian Christian Missionary Paul Pinmay and the African Tribal chief he came to convert, Vithobai. It explores the forbidden relationship between the two men and the repercussions it has on them, their lives and their families and communities. It addresses spiritual and religious conflicts in the tension between prejudices and freedom.

In the words of Stephen Fry:

“The Life To Come” is one of E. M. Forster’s most beguiling and brilliant short stories.

It is simultaneously romantic, satirical, passionate, comic, tragic and mysterious. It speaks of colonialism, sexuality, love and religion in unique ways. The dramatic structure struck me as ideal for an opera and when the outrageously talented young Louis Mander and I talked about collaborating and he evinced a similar enthusiasm, it all just fell into place.”

Louis Mander adds:  

“When Stephen and I first set about collaborating on the creative process of the opera I was fired up with passionate musical ideas; arching melodies, rich harmonies and orchestral colours which arose from the highly exotic and erotic subject matter of EM Forster's immaculately beautiful short story The Life to Come. In all honesty, when Stephen suggested the collection of short stories by Forster, I had no idea when greedily devouring them, that it would be this Colonial African love story between an African Prince and a British missionary. Themes of religiosity, heart-splitting homosexual passion and sweltering North African exoticism exploded in my imagination all at once. It was an absolute dream working alongside Stephen Fry who has written a libretto so powerfully emotive and which drives the plot of the story through with real mastery. Generous as ever to bring forward the truth and wealth of storytelling, Stephen and I have tried to polish this jewel of a story by the shining light of English literature, Edward Morgan Forster.”

With romantic and tuneful music, this work is an exciting addition to 21st Century opera and the repertoire. Surrey Opera presents a new fully staged production of the opera, with a cast of established and emerging professional singers, full orchestra and the well regarded Surrey Opera Chorus. The production is conducted and directed by Surrey Opera's Artistic Director Jonathan Butcher and designed by Jill Wilson.

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