Opera/Oratorio​

Rosalind

A new opera about the life and work of Rosalind Franklin 

with a libretto by Clare Heath.

Cast 9 soloists;

Rosalind Franklin             Soprano

Alice Bragg                        Mezzo Soprano

Francis Crick                     Tenor

Raymond Gosling             Tenor

James Watson                  Baritone

Maurice Wilkins                Baritone

Max Perutz                        Baritone

Sir Lawrence  Bragg        Bass

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Piano, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass

Shall Life Inherit – Listen at MixCloud.com

For Tenor, Soprano and Baritone Soloists
Chorus and Orchestra

  1. Faith

  2. Fighting

  3. Love

  • 2 Flutes

  • 2 Oboes (2nd doubling Cor Anglais)

  • 2 Clarinets (2nd doubling bass clarinet)

  • 2 Bassoons

  • 2 Horns

  • 3 Trumpets

  • 3 Trombones

  • Tuba

  • Timpani + 4 percussionists

  • Piano

  • Celeste

  • Harp

  • Strings

Duration: approx 75 minutes

shall life inherit was written for the 500th anniversary of the Royal Grammar School, Guildford by Peter White.

Taking as its starting point the fine hymn, Who would true valour see, with its well known words by John Bunyan and fine tune, Monksgate, shall life inherit explores the concept of pilgrimage in a complex and often dark modern world; not as a devotional act, but more as a metaphor for seeking to find purpose and meaning to life.  The texts, written and selected by librettist Martin Cawte, reflect on man’s constant struggles with faith, doubt, fear and war, but mirroring the sentiments of  Bunyan’s original words, find solace in the prospect that love can conquer all.

It received its first performance in Guildford Cathedral on 13th March 2010 with The Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Grammar School and soloists Juliet Fraser, soprano, Joshua Ellicott, tenor and Jonathan Saunders, baritone.

Te Deum 

Commisioned by Jonathan Willcocks and the Chichester Singers

The Te Deum sets the traditional texts of this Christian Hymn of Prase but intertwines it with poetry by Gerard Manley Hopkins that explores doubt and  confusion. Composed for full orchestra, Chorus and S,T and B soloists it was given its first performancde in Chichester Cathedral in 2016.

Moonfleet

Opera in 2 acts based on the novel by James Meade Faulkner. Commissioned by Trinity Boys Choir, (90′)

Written for a cast of Boys (unbroken and broken voices) with professional Bass and Tenor roles.

Full orchestra

Libretto by Martin Cawte