Britten's 'The Burning Fiery Furnace' is performed by Mahogany Opera and Aurora Orchestra chamber ensemble under Roger Vignoles, with James Gilchrist (tenor), John McMunn (tenor), Lukas Jakobski (bass), Rodney Earl Clarke (bass), Samuel Evans (bass). Directed by Frederic Wake-Walker.
The biblical tale of tells the story of how King Nebuchadnezzar cast the three Israelites Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into a furnace for their refusal to worship his image. God, however, saves them from death.
Britten's 'Church Parables' are performed at Southwark Cathedral where they were first seen in London under the direction of the composer. These new productions merge East with West: Japanese Noh with Medieval Western iconography ('Curlew River'), Balinese dance drama with stained glass ('The Burning Fiery Furnace') and Middle Eastern Sufism juxtaposed with the work of Rembrandt and Bosch ('The Prodigal Son').