The pandemic has given birth to a new operatic version of The Railway Children.
Lockdown led to an unexpected creative partnership between composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and his partner Rachael Hewer. They had spent countless hours juggling work, parenting, and writing during the lockdown period. They took inspiration from E Nesbit's beloved book and decided to write an opera adaptation.
Turnage explained that the lockdown experience was both challenging and liberating for him as a composer. "I always write at home... sometimes I feel we're in danger of forgetting what those very early days of the first Covid lockdown were like." However, this period also presented an opportunity for creative expression and innovation.
The Railway Children is now being staged by Glyndebourne Touring Opera, with Stephen Langridge directing. This unexpected turn of events was facilitated by the pandemic. Turnage described the experience of sending their opera to the artistic director as "biting the bullet" but ultimately being astonished when it was accepted for production.
The team behind this project is working tirelessly to bring this new operatic version to life. Despite initial doubts about its feasibility, they have managed to turn an idea born out of lockdown into a reality that will soon be performed on stage. This success highlights how the pandemic has not only disrupted our lives but also opened up unexpected opportunities for artistic expression and collaboration.
The connection between Turnage's personal experience during the pandemic and his creative process serves as a poignant reminder that adversity can sometimes lead to innovative breakthroughs in art. The new operatic version of The Railway Children promises to be an exciting milestone in this project, bringing together talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to create something truly special.
Lockdown led to an unexpected creative partnership between composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and his partner Rachael Hewer. They had spent countless hours juggling work, parenting, and writing during the lockdown period. They took inspiration from E Nesbit's beloved book and decided to write an opera adaptation.
Turnage explained that the lockdown experience was both challenging and liberating for him as a composer. "I always write at home... sometimes I feel we're in danger of forgetting what those very early days of the first Covid lockdown were like." However, this period also presented an opportunity for creative expression and innovation.
The Railway Children is now being staged by Glyndebourne Touring Opera, with Stephen Langridge directing. This unexpected turn of events was facilitated by the pandemic. Turnage described the experience of sending their opera to the artistic director as "biting the bullet" but ultimately being astonished when it was accepted for production.
The team behind this project is working tirelessly to bring this new operatic version to life. Despite initial doubts about its feasibility, they have managed to turn an idea born out of lockdown into a reality that will soon be performed on stage. This success highlights how the pandemic has not only disrupted our lives but also opened up unexpected opportunities for artistic expression and collaboration.
The connection between Turnage's personal experience during the pandemic and his creative process serves as a poignant reminder that adversity can sometimes lead to innovative breakthroughs in art. The new operatic version of The Railway Children promises to be an exciting milestone in this project, bringing together talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to create something truly special.