ENO Messiah Backstage - latest news

'The umbrella cell cycle presented within the Operatic eukaryote provides fascinating examples of inverse mitosis, or reverse cell division; this is literally a case of zygotes amalgamating into larger organisms, with previously fertilised unicellular gametes 'clapping' in order to gain a form of genetic acceptance so that they can then become part of a greater life form.'

WHA???!! Don't worry - this is the way James Wright, an English National Opera Messiah Community Ensemble participant explains his 'motivation' - what he's meant to be doing, under the direction of Deborah Warner, during the performance. Various members of the production team, and community ensemble participants, are blogging on Messiah - producing a fascinating day-by-day account of the rehearsals leading up to the premiere at the London Coliseum on November 27.

• Messiah is linked to Radio 3's Sing Hallelujah project. You can find details here.
• And here is the link to the production blog.