Commissioned for City of London Sinfonia's (CLS) 50th Anniversary Season, Scenes from the Wild is a dramatic song cycle based on the 2020 book by Dara McAnulty, Diary of a Young Naturalist, with music by Cheryl Frances-Hoad and text by librettist and musician Amanda Holden.
Holden writes:
“The diary, March 2018-19, begins with an echo of Dara’s early memories, then traces the year through his autism and being bullied at school, but primarily through real events that describe his interaction with the natural world. His fascination for all flora and fauna and his horror at their destruction lead on to the start of his activism; by the end of this year he emerges, just before his 15th birthday, knowing where he must go.”
The tenor in the piece is reflective of McAnulty and the chamber orchestra adds the colour of the world around him. Joining our Orchestra for these world premiere performances are tenor William Morgan and conductor Geoffrey Paterson. And to enhance the sensory experience even more, you’ll be invited to move around the space as part of CLS's signature 'seriously informal' performance style, taking in sounds inspired by the natural environment.
Performances:
Thursday 25 November 2021, 7pm
Saturday 27 November 2021, 2.30pm (relaxed performance)
Saturday 27 November 2021, 7pm