Influences and Inspiration

Available for 27 days

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