Page 49 - FINAL_Theatre of Sound Coverage Book

Evans commented: “Bluebeard’s Castle is one of my all-time favourite operas, and I always understood
Bluebeard’s music was filled with intense love and devotion. I want to tell this tale not as a gothic
nightmare, but a love story whilst also increasing awareness and understanding around the power of
music for people living with dementia.”

The idea for the production came about a couple of years ago when Higgins was working with Gerald
Finley on another production of Bluebeard’s Castle. While learning and discovering the opera for the
first time, in between rehearsals Higgins was also spending time with his ageing grandmother at her
dementia care home, experiencing first hand the devastation of the condition.

“This extraordinary masterpiece has been a favourite of mine since childhood, and to have the chance
to work with such an amazing cast and creative team to bring it to life in this evocative and
extraordinary setting is the fulfilment of a long-held dream,” Higgins said. “I am particularly excited to
reframe the story as a love letter from a devoted husband – a radical reinterpretation which has made
me listen to the piece with completely new ears.”

Tickets are on sale now and cost from £35, with concessions also available, including an offer of 10
tickets per show at £20 for under 25s.

In addition to the opera, Theatre of Sound has also teamed up with Live Music Now and the London
Sinfonietta to create a complementary project called Judith’s Castle which has used some of the
themes of Bartok’s work to create new pieces of music theatre, working with families living with
dementia.

Composer Electra Perivolaris and musicians from both the Sinfonietta and Live Music Now spent time
with those living with dementia, working with both the carers and the cared for. The new works
inspired by this project will be premiered on the set of the opera production.

These performances will be presented as informal concerts featuring Perivolaris’s new pieces alongside
poetry and prose readings including by actor and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Kevin Whately, and

mini-lectures from experts in the field of music and dementia including Julian West, a leading expert in
the field of dementia and music research. The concerts will end with an opportunity for a dialogue
between the audience and performers to discuss the role music can play to improve the lives of those
living with dementia.

The shows will take place at 2pm on 6 November and 13 November in relaxed performances at Stone
Nest, performed by musicians from the London Sinfonietta and Live Music Now together with singers
Gweneth Ann Rand and Michael Mayes. Entry is free, but tickets must be booked in advance and are
strictly limited.