British Universities Film & Video Council

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Nothing Like the Sun: The Sonnet Project

Synopsis
A new work by composer Gavin Bryars commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Opera North.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s sonnets, Nothing Like The Sun: The Sonnet Project is a two-part performance. The first part of the performance features compositions by Muhly/Hegarty and Natalie Merchant, alongside those of electronic artist Mira Calix, Romanian violinist Alexander Balanescu and Irish singer-songwriter Gavin Friday. Bringing together a unique set of musicians, Bryars invited each guest artist to set their chosen sonnet to music. The arrangements were then performed on the 24 and 25 February 2007 by singers John Potter (tenor) and Anna Maria Friman (soprano) and an eight-piece chamber orchestra from Opera North directed by James Holmes. The second half is the premiere of Gavin Bryars’ major new work based around eight of Shakespeare’s sonnets. Nothing Like The Sun is performed by the same ensemble using music, song and speech and a specially commissioned film by Pippa Nissen to bring music, voice and image together.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Video
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Recording date
24 Feb 2007
Duration
62 mins

Credits

Music
Gavin Bryars
Contributor
Pippa Nissen
Cast
Alexander Balanescu 
Anna Maria Friman 
Antony Hegarty 
Gavin Bryars 
Gavin Friday 
John Potter 
Mira Calix 
Natalie Merchant 
Nico Muhly 
Nina Sosanya 
Opera North 
Richard Dillane 

Additional Details

Theatre
Courtyard Theatre, The
Theatre company
Royal Shakespeare Company
Production type
Operas and Musicals
Subjects
English language and literature; Music
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); sonnets; Complete Works Festival (Stratford upon Avon 2006-7)

Notes

General
Sonnet 73 (Natalie Merchant), Sonnet 43 (Alexander Balanescu), Sonnet 130 (Mira Calix), Sonnet 40 (Gavin Friday), Sonnet 27 (Nico Muhly and Antony Hegarty) and Sonnets 60, 123, 128, 94, 102, 146, 55 & 64 (Gavin Bryars).

Production Company

Name

Royal Shakespeare Company

Web
https://www.rsc.org.uk External site opens in new window
Address
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Waterside
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
CV37 6BB

Archive

Name

Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive

Email
scla@shakespeare.org.uk
Web
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/ External site opens in new window
Phone
01789 204016 (bookings)
Fax
01789 262073
Address
Henley Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6QW

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