Saved events

Rolf Hind: Sky in a Small Cage

The extraordinary life of Rumi

,Hall
A pale purple, oval shape, reflective of a mirror or window, sits in the centre of the image, surrounded by a dark orange colour with candle smoke and lens flares creating textural elements.

Direct from the Copenhagen Opera Festival, Mahogany Opera opens our season with the UK premiere of Rolf Hind’s much-anticipated new work inspired by the influential Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi. 

Delivered by an outstanding cast directed by Frederic Wake-Walker, Hind’s opera employs excerpts from Rumi’s poetry in translation together with words by the award-winning poet Dante Micheaux to create a powerful multi-disciplinary piece chronicling love, loss, and spirituality. 

A ‘genre-crossing virtuoso’ (Financial Times), narrator Elaine Mitchener anchors a cast including countertenor James Hall and bass-baritone-dancer Yannis François who will portray the intensely spiritual relationship between Rumi and his guide and soulmate, Shams. Completing the line-up are mezzo extraordinaire Loré Lixenberg, six fiercely talented ensemble singers, and the exhilarating Riot Ensemble.

Tagged with: Classical music Barbican Presents Stories through Sound More...

This performance will finish at approximately 9pm, with no interval

Produced by the Barbican

Commissioned by Mahogany Opera with support from the Nicholas Berwin Charitable Trust'

Programme

Rolf Hind Sky in a Small Cage

Performers

Mahogany Opera
Riot Ensemble
Elaine Mitchener Narrator
James Hall I and You (becoming Rumi)
Yannis François Bird of the Sun – Shams e Parande
Loré Lixenberg Shaman of the Birds and Kerra, Rumi's wife
Siddhii Lagrutta ensemble singer
Karima El Demerdasch ensemble singer
Anika Venkatesh ensemble singer
Rylan Gleave ensemble singer
Ty Bouque ensemble singer
Harald Hieronymus Hein ensemble singer
Rolf Hind composer
Dante Micheaux and Jalal al-Din Rumi words
Frederic Wake-Walker director
Aaron Holloway-Nahum music director
Sasha Balmazi-Owen designer
Rosabel Huguet movement director
‘Hooray! The big questions are still alive and kicking in opera. Composer and librettist .. have spun the most unique opera about the Sufi poet Rumi ... phenomenally orchestrated.‘
Seismograf

Digital programme

Become a Patron

Our Patrons get access to tickets for sold-out performances, among other benefits.
About Barbican Patrons

You might also like...

Hall