Barbican HallSilk Street, London, Greater London, EC2Y 8DS, United Kingdom
Dates/times in London time zone
Programme
| Birtwistle, Sir Harrison (1934-2022) | Gawain (semi-staged concert performance) |
Performers
| BBC Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Martyn Brabbins | Conductor | |
| John Lloyd Davies | Director | |
| Sir John Tomlinson | Bass | The Green Knight |
| Leigh Melrose | Baritone | Gawain |
| Laura Aikin | Soprano | Morgan Le Fay |
| Jennifer Johnston | Mezzo-soprano | Lady de Hautdesert |
| Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts | Tenor | King Arthur |
| John Graham-Hall | Tenor | A fool |
| Rachel Nicholls | Soprano | Guinevere |
| William Towers | Countertenor | Bishop Baldwin |
| Ivan Ludlow | Tenor | Agravain |
| Robert Anthony Gardiner | Tenor | Ywain |
| BBC Singers |
Birtwistle’s iconic opera of the 1990s dramatizes the mysterious Arthurian legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with sombre, often shattering, power. He and librettist David Harsent cast the story in two cyclical acts, emphasising the ritual aspects of the epic saga, and lending it hieratic force. The part of the Green Knight was modelled on the range of Wotan, and is pitted against the baritone Gawain. A rare opportunity to hear this striking modern classic, from an orchestra and conductor steeped in Birtwistle’s music.
Tickets £10 - 25.
