Five:15 Synopses

74° North

Music: Paul Mealor and Peter Stollery
Words: Peter Davidson 

An arctic scientist visits the site of a disastrous 1840s expedition, bringing echoes of a terrible tragedy to the surface once more. Dominated by its extraordinary setting, this opera brings two composers together blending orchestral and electro-acoustic music.

Running time 15mins
 

Sublimation

Music: Nick Fells
Words: Zoe Strachan

A woman is haunted by her traumatic past and unable to separate it from the present. As she is overwhelmed by memories her story takes a mythical turn. Can she escape what has kept her prisoner for so long?

Running time 15mins
 

The Letter

Music: Vitaly Khodosh
Words: Bernard MacLaverty

Drawn from Vassili Grossman’s novel Life and Fate

1940s Russia. A mother writes to her son, knowing she is about to be forced from her home along with thousands of fellow Russian Jews. As brutality and madness thrive around her she takes comfort from knowing that her spirit will live on through her words. The lyrical music conveys her quiet strength in the face of unfathomable cruelty.

Running time 15mins
 

The Money Man

Music: Lyell Cresswell
Words: Ron Butlin 

A satirical take on modern morality and the state of the economy. Against a backdrop of tumbling share prices a man struggles to retain his financial empire . . . and his sanity. What will happen when his daughter discovers he’s lost her inheritance?

Running time 25mins
 

Zen Story
Music: Miriama Young
Words: Alan Spence 

A young girl finds herself pregnant. When confronted by her parents she declares the child is a holy man’s. Despite the threat to his reputation and position, he accepts responsibility without complaint…but why? A timeless tale of humanity and forgiveness, with music inspired by the richly resonant sounds of the temple.

Running time 15mins