On Friday, 16th November, at 7:30pm, North Highland Connections is working with The Hebrides Ensemble, to present an amazingly interesting programme in the evocative spaces of St Duthus Collegiate Church in Tain, Ross-shire.

Hebrides Ensemble take on one of the most exciting pieces of twentieth-century music theatre, presenting a fully-staged, theatrical programme of music, which builds thematically and dramatically to Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a Mad King. The extraordinary Eight Songs, which hasn’t been performed in Scotland for almost ten years, is regarded as one of the composer’s seminal works. It’s an extravagant, disturbing and occasionally very funny depiction of the madness of King George III, which requires virtuosic levels of playing and vocal talent.

Award-winning, critically-lauded young baritone Marcus Farnsworth sings the role of King George III, while the musicians become his pet bullfinches, playing from within cages in a theatrical set. Staged by theatre director Ben Twist, Hebrides Ensemble’s take on Eight Songs is a very different experience from the average concert: the theatrical setting, staging and makeup, along with the extraordinary vocal techniques and variety of instrumentation required (railway whistles, chains, scrubbing board, dijeridu, and a small anvil are all used as percussion) make this production a feast for all of your senses.

The programme also includes works by Iannis Xenakis, George Benjamin, Oliver Knussen, Colin Matthews and Thomas Adès; five short pieces of music linked to the theme of flight, and staged as music theatre, leading the audience towards Eight Songs for a Mad King.

This promises to be a remarkable and memorable evening in Tain!

Ticket prices are : £14 and £10. A special offer to school groups to obtain student tickets for £5 has been issued. Tickets can be reserved by calling 07521 077 053, or by e-mail to:

MF@nothhighlandconnections.org

Venue : St Duthus Collegiate Church, Tain, Ross-shire. 16th November, 2012, at 7:30pm. Admission £14 (£10 concessions) School groups special offer : £5. To reserve call 0752 107 7053

Source: North Highland Connections