Pincher Martin

Tuesday 8 July 2014

This July the RCM is hosting the world premiere of a new opera by RCM alumnus Oliver Rudland.

Pincher Martin is based on the novel by William Golding. Set during World War II, it is an existential re-telling of the ‘Don Giovanni’ fable, in which a stranded naval officer is forced to re-live events from his ruthlessly selfish past. Through his memories and hallucinations - using specially-filmed and original archival footage - we learn of the terrifying actions which led him to this fateful pass.

Bringing Oliver’s music to life are a cast of impressive young professional singers and The Faust Ensemble, conducted by Mark Austin and led by RCM alumnus Rowan Bell. The first night of the opera will feature an introductory talk by renowned writer and philosopher Roger Scruton.

As an RCM Foundation Scholar, Oliver Rudland studied composition with Huw Watkins and Joseph Horovitz and piano with Niel Immelman. His first opera, The Nightingale and the Rose, received its premiere at the RCM in 2006.

Performances of Pincher Martin are taking place on Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July. Tickets cost £10-£40 and are available from the RCM Box Office on 020 7591 4314 or www.rcm.ac.uk/boxoffice. For further details about the production visit the Pincher Martin website.