Burial at Thebes

Composed by Dominique le Gendre, directed by Derek Walcott and conducted by Peter Manning. Based on the concept that Greek stories can be used to investigate modern politics and cultures, in "The Burial at Thebes", the victorious leader Creon is forced to choose between his public responsibility and personal concerns when faced with Antigone's disobedience. All too late, Creon realises the fatal consequences of personal inflexibilities that have wiped out his family.

This is the first time Nobel Prize winner, Seamus Heaney, has exposed his own great work to musical interpretation. Composer Dominique Le Gendre will use the orchestra, soloists and chorus to recreate the action in Heaney's epic poem with dramatic narration by Trinidadian Rapso, played by the actor Wendell Manwarren. It is a groundbreaking approach to a 1,000 year-old tragedy with universal and contemporary resonance. This performance is part of the Liverpool Irish Festival.

Dates

Opening 2007 17 Oct 2008