Friday 23 May 2014 The stage is set for a new opera written by an OL to premiere in London this summer. Oliver Rudland (OL02) wrote the libretto and music to Pincher Martin, which is inspired by William Golding’s novel of the same name. The story is a version of the Don Giovanni fable, set during World War II, and tells of a stranded naval officer forced to relive events from his past through terrifying memories and hallucinations. Innovative staging will immerse the audience in Pincher Martin’s nightmarish world with a cinematic backdrop using specially filmed and archival footage. Oliver said: “The atmospheric, psychological and dramatic content of the story presented a tantalising and irresistible challenge to me as a composer, as well as its evocation of the primal elements of the sea and the natural world. The silver-screen look will help to evoke the World War II context of the story, as well as creating the unusual dramatic scenario of a man fighting for his life in the Atlantic Ocean.” Oliver has already written two operas, including a children’s opera The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark, an adaptation of Jill Tomlinson’s classic book, which will be staged at GSAL during the 2015 arts festival. He said: “It’s wonderful that this piece, which is pedagogical in nature, can be brought home to a school which had a large part to play in my musical education and development. Indeed, it was a recording of my trio for harp, cello and flute, performed by GSAL music staff at a composition concert, which helped to gain me entry to study at the Royal College of Music and launched me on my professional career.” Pincher Martin will be performed by the Faust Ensemble with conductor Mark Austin at the Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, between July 24-26. The first night will feature an introductory talk by writer and philosopher Roger Scruton. Tickets can be purchased online from the RCM Box Office. Alumni
