Sally O'Reilly, librettist for And London Burned, says that the character of 'London' in the opera is 'made out of endless crisis' and 'formed of abstract nouns.' The character herself is not human, although her inhabitants are part of her, just as her streets, lights and rivers are.
'London' has her own musical language, too. Composer Matt Rogers says that her musical landscape will make it seem as though she could have come from deep space. That phrase made me think of Under the Skin, the 2013 film directed by Jonathan Glazer, with Scarlett Johansson (pictured) in the lead. The film is based on the 2000 novel by Michael Faber. Johansson plays an alien disguised as a woman. In this picture, she has peeled off her disguise and is looking down at it.
In rehearsals with soprano Raphaela Papadakis, we will seek ways to make 'London' into a strange and compelling creature. I've been looking at walking - these grid videos are very helpful to show the difference between male and female walks. I have also been following strangers in the street and copying their walk - a fruitful and interesting, if slightly risky endeavour.
In what way do you walk if you're made out of abstract nouns...?
'London' has her own musical language, too. Composer Matt Rogers says that her musical landscape will make it seem as though she could have come from deep space. That phrase made me think of Under the Skin, the 2013 film directed by Jonathan Glazer, with Scarlett Johansson (pictured) in the lead. The film is based on the 2000 novel by Michael Faber. Johansson plays an alien disguised as a woman. In this picture, she has peeled off her disguise and is looking down at it.
In rehearsals with soprano Raphaela Papadakis, we will seek ways to make 'London' into a strange and compelling creature. I've been looking at walking - these grid videos are very helpful to show the difference between male and female walks. I have also been following strangers in the street and copying their walk - a fruitful and interesting, if slightly risky endeavour.
In what way do you walk if you're made out of abstract nouns...?
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