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Influences and Inspiration

Donald Macleod talks to Thomas Adès about his second opera, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and the unique creative process of writing for the stage.

Donald Macleod talks to Thomas Adès about his second opera, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and the unique creative process of writing for the stage.

They also discuss the impact of the immense acclaim that followed the success of his first opera, Powder Her Face, and the the significant influence of another composer upon Adès - the Hungarian György Kurtág.

Living Toys (Angels)
London Sinfonietta
Markus Stenz, conductor [shtents]

Still Sorrowing (excerpt)
Thomas Adès, piano

Powder Her Face (Act 2, excerpt)
Jill Gomez (Duchess), soprano
Roger Bryson (Hotel Manager), bass-baritone
Almeida Ensemble
Thomas Adès, conductor

Asyla
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Simon Rattle, conductor

Concerto Conciso (excerpt)
Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Thomas Adès, conductor

The Tempest (Act 2, excerpt)
Simon Keenlyside (Prospero), baritone
Ian Bostridge (Caliban), tenor
Philip Langridge (The King of Naples), tenor
Donald Kaasch (Antonio), tenor
David Cordier (Trinculo), countertenor
Jonathan Summers (Sebastian), baritone
Graeme Denby (Gonzalo), bass
Royal Opera Chorus
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Thomas Adès, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tue 24 Mar 202616:00

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