The Power of Creativity in Uncertain Times: Unveiling a New Opera
A lockdown-inspired journey to the opera stage
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world seemed to stand still, a unique creative project took root. This is the story of how a composer and his partner, amidst the uncertainty of those early lockdown days, embarked on a journey to bring a beloved story to life as an opera.
My connection with Glyndebourne, a renowned opera house, began back in 1984. As a young and ambitious 24-year-old, I worked as a music copyist, and my great friend and mentor, Oliver Knussen, introduced me to the world of opera. Little did I know then that decades later, I would be creating an opera for Glyndebourne.
The Birth of an Idea
The idea for this opera was born out of necessity and a desire to stay productive during the lockdown. My partner, Rachael, and I, like many others, found ourselves with unexpected free time. We decided to channel our energy into something creative and thus began our journey to write an opera.
As a composer, I thrive in solitude, and the idea of extended periods dedicated solely to composition was a welcome prospect. However, the early days of lockdown were filled with fear and uncertainty. We watched the news, witnessing the rapid spread of the virus, and wondered if life would ever return to normal. Despite our fortunate position, the future seemed precarious.
Choosing the Perfect Story
We chose to adapt E. Nesbit's beloved book, "The Railway Children," into an opera. This classic story, also an iconic film, resonated with us on multiple levels. Firstly, it's a beloved tale that holds a special place in the hearts of many, particularly those of my generation. Secondly, being out of copyright, we had the freedom to adapt it without seeking permission.
A Collaborative Process
Rachael and I worked in secret, each taking on specific tasks. Rachael distilled the episodic nature of the book into a concise narrative, ensuring the opera wouldn't become an epic six-hour Wagnerian production. She wrote scenes upstairs and delivered them to my study, where I would work on them, occasionally requesting small rewrites to condense and simplify the text. This collaborative process continued until we had a complete opera, which took just over four months, an incredibly short timeframe for such a project.
The Pandemic's Silver Lining
The pandemic played a crucial role in our accelerated timeline. Normally, writing a full-length opera can take up to two years, but the lockdown provided us with the time and focus needed to complete it swiftly. After finishing, we put the opera aside, thinking it was a fun distraction. Little did we know that this distraction would soon become a reality.
Bringing the Opera to Life
Later, we revisited the opera and decided to hear it performed. We organized a workshop with our talented singer friends, who were sworn to secrecy. Even my publisher was unaware of our project. The singers' performance was so impressive that it convinced us the opera had potential. However, we realized it needed significant work, and we decided to update the Edwardian setting to the 1980s, adding a spy element and strengthening the character of the mother.
The Glyndebourne Dream
Deep down, we always had Glyndebourne in mind for this opera. As the world started to reopen, we saw an opportunity for our opera to find a place in a world that might have space for new artistic endeavors. We took a leap of faith and sent the opera to Stephen Langridge, the artistic director of the opera company.
We prepared a professional copy of the entire opera, bound and printed, and included a fun-size Wispa bar as a playful hint to keep the project under wraps. Stephen was unable to commit immediately, so we waited anxiously to hear his decision. We were astonished when he responded positively, agreeing to stage the opera at Glyndebourne.
A Dream Come True
Even after seeing the incredible stage designs by Nicky Shaw, it was hard to believe our opera was becoming a reality. The news spread, tickets were sold, and now, we are in the midst of rehearsals, about to witness our creation come to life on stage. While I am aware of the hard work and dedication that has gone into this project, a part of me reflects on the journey, the world we lived in then, and the changes we've experienced since.
And here's where it gets controversial...
Do you think adapting classic stories into operas is a respectful way to honor the original work, or does it risk diluting its essence? Share your thoughts in the comments!
