Opera Archives

SkyArts is honouring Philip Glass by dedicating an evening of programmes to the influential composer. To accompany this event, SkyArts have provided a website that allows visitors to download free samples of his work, look at the set designs for the English National Opera’s imminent production of Satyagraha and generally familiarise themselves with his vast output.

Having turned 70 years of age in January, Glass has amassed a significant body of work in size, scope and relevance. He has written operas, film scores, symphonies and concertos as well as worked with individuals considered masters of their crafts, which as a group, includes Richard Serra, Allen Ginsberg and Ravi Shankar.

The programming will acknowledge the genuine talent and creativity of Glass by providing insight into his working life as well as celebrating the return to a UK stage of Satyagraha, his Gandhi-inspired opera. Satyagraha is produced in conjunction with the English National Opera and performed by Improbable. ArtsWom will be at the premiere that takes place tomorrow at the Coliseum Theatre in London and will endeavour to recreate the event in all its glory for our faithful followers.

SkyArts Philip Glass Night will be shown on Saturday 14^th April beginning at 9:00pm, and the website supporting the occasion can be found here.

Just a reminder to all our readers about the open invitation to join us for the premiere of Philip Glass’s Satyagraha on April 5th at the London Coliseum. If you would like the opportunity to attend the performance simply email us and we will send you further information.

Just to make things clear: this offer is open for everyone! We only ask that you write about your experience in any forums or blogs that you contribute to. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer transportation to London but the drinks are on us!

To be honest, Jessica Duchen communicates this message far more eloquently than we do, so I direct you towards her blog for further classical music musings.

Well, the fat lady has barely had time to catch her breath and we’re heading back to the opera! Courtesy of Sky Arts, ArtsWom and guests have been invited to the premiere of Philip Glass’s composition Satyagraha at the London Coliseum on April 5th. This looks as though it’s going to be a veritable cultural feast, especially as the composer himself will be in attendance. Furthermore, we would like to invite ArtsWom readers to join us!

If you would like to spend an evening at the opera with some of the delightful ArtsWom staff, simply email us and say so. We are keen to help spread the WOM (such is our nature) so let us know about any blogs, messageboards or forums you would be interested in posting your review of the show on.

To find out more about Sky Arts and how they support the opera, follow this link

Courtesy of our sponsors, Sky Arts, ArtsWom was offered the opportunity to flex our cultural muscles, hop on the train and enjoy a evening of operatic entertainment at the London Coliseum with a special showing of La Bohème. With our evening entertainments usually consisting of eating cold beans out of a can while huddled around the insufficient warmth of a desktop PC – we were more than keen to take them up on the offer!

Unfortunately, our enthusiasm far outweighed our knowledge so it was our pleasure to be able to invite blogger, journalist and author Jessica Duchen and her husband to join us as our esteemed guests and guides. If you haven’t yet had the chance to read Jessica Duchen’s Classical Music blog, now would be the perfect time to have a read! We had a magical evening and ArtsWom would like to thank Jessica and her husband for being such gracious guests.

Continue reading for the ArtsWom review of the performance.

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The influential American composer, Philip Glass turned 70 at the end of January. In recognition of this, the English National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera are co-producing a production of Glass’ Satyagraha that will be staged by British theatre company ‘Improbable.’

Over at ionarts there is an article that offers guidance on how to ‘acquaint oneself,’ with his ‘uniquely recognisable brand of minimalism,’ and we suggest it may be worth a read…

Before you think ‘opera is not for me…’ be aware that Glass’s work is extensive, reaching into popular music and film. He has worked collaboratively with song writers from David Bowie to Aphex Twin, on film scores for notable directors such as Martin Scorsese and Peter Weir amongst others. With his music utilised across a variety of art forms, there is, maybe, something for everyone within the Philip Glass catalogue.

The press release from the ENO regarding this new production of Satyagraha can be found on the press office page of their website.

It is one of the peculiarities of human nature that we adore wistfully from afar whilst simultaneously ignoring what is right under our noses. Is there honestly an excuse for anyone living in London and appreciates art to complain of boredom? Would we be surprised by how many do?

A possible cure for this is to see how tourists spend their time in London and travel blogs are an excellent source for such information. Case in point; ‘Elventryst’, an American model stopping by in London on her way to India, has written an account of her “night at the opera” in her online travelogue. A day trip to the Tate Modern had left her relatively uninspired, but her first experience of a da Ponte opera (an English rendition of The Marriage of Figaro) bought “great joy” to her heart. Read the full account here

Ultimately, tiredness caused by jet lag marred the otherwise entertaining performance. That’s not much of a problem for us locals though, who sometimes need to look through the eyes of a tourist to see what we might be missing, even if they are struggling to stay awake.