George Benjamin conducts his latest opera (another collaboration with playwright Martin Crimp), which draws on a twelfth-century Occitan legend about the troubadour Guillaume de Cabestanh. The story's enduring themes of love, passion and violence are given a very contemporary twist: mysterious twenty-first-century angels watch over the enfolding drama.
Starring Barbara Hannigan (Agnès), Christopher Purves (Protector), Bejun Mehta (First Angel/Boy), Victoria Simmonds (Second Angel/Marie) and Allan Clayton (Third Angel/John).
Director Katie Mitchell's inventive staging combines ancient and modern elements, while Benjamin harnesses an array of diverse instruments – including glass harmonica, cowbells and mandolins – in a strikingly beautiful and rich score. (Sung in English.)
(Note: at 7.30pm on Thur Feb 21, George Benjamin and Martin Crimp, plus members of the cast and production team, explore this new opera. Clore Studio UPstairs, £17 – students £7.)