19:00-19:50, Friday 9th September 2022
The Cockpit
Music: Helgi R. Ingvarsson
Words: Rebecca Hurst
This show was part of the fifteenth Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival.
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“Music and the Brain”, an opera about brain damage. Inspired by Musicophilia, writings of neurologist Oliver Sacks, it tells the story of The Singer, whose successful career has been cut short by an accident. The resulting brain injury has caused her to lose the ability to comprehend music and perform. She is treated by The Doctor, who, as well as being a fan of The Singer, hopes that his research on this rare and interesting case will redeem him in the eyes of the academic community. The show has already had a successful premiere run in Iceland and Sweden in 2021-22 prior to this, its UK premiere.
Nominated in 2022 for Gríman (Iceland’s annual stage arts awards) in the category “Sproti ársins” which gives an award for “originality or outstanding innovation.”
Age Rating: Mostly adults, 15+
Content Advisory: to see content advisories for Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival 2022 shows, click here.
In a festival of new work, please note that shows can often overrun.
Produced by Helgi R. Ingvarsson
Venue: The Cockpit, Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH.
www.facebook.com/musicandthebrainopera
www.instagram.com/helgi.r.ingvarsson/
helgiingvarsson.com/musicandthebrain
Composer: Helgi R. Ingvarsson
Librettist: Rebecca Hurst
The Singer: Thorgunnur Anna Ornolfsdottir
The Doctor: Gunnar Gudbjornsson
Piano: Antonia Hevezi
Flute: Helen Whitaker
Composer: Helgi R. Ingvarsson
Librettist: Rebecca Hurst
The Singer: Thorgunnur Anna Ornolfsdottir
The Doctor: Gunnar Gudbjornsson
Piano: Antonia Hevezi
Flute: Helen Whitaker