Crossing the Bar

“Gerald Barry writes brilliantly for voice, as anyone who heard BCMG’s European premiere performances of his acclaimed opera The Importance of Being Earnest in April 2012 will know. For his latest Sound Investment commission, Irish composer Gerald Barry will compose a short song for soprano and small ensemble, to be premiered as part of a special Songbook programme in 2013/14. This will feature songs commissioned over the last two decades for the Composers Ensemble by BCMG Artist-in-Association John Woolrich, from leading composers including Harrison Birtwistle, Thomas Adès, Poul Ruders, Salvatore Sciarrino and Franco Donatoni.”

Stephen Newbould, BCMG Artistic Director

“The world now has something rare: a new genuinely comic opera and maybe the most inventive Oscar Wilde opera since Richard Strauss’ Salome more than a century ago.” The Los Angeles Times on The Importance of Being Earnest (2012)

Premiered by Rebecca von Lipinski and Malcolm Wilson on 24 February 2015 at the Wigmore Hall, London, followed by a performance at CBSO Centre, Birmingham on 27 February.