Opera Now: An Evening with composers Ryan Wigglesworth, Nico Muhly and Iain Bell

ENO Contemporary were delighted to bring together three of the world’s leading contemporary composers for Opera Now on 5 October 2016. The talk – hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenter, Lucie Skeaping – explored the genesis of ENO’s latest commission by Ryan Wigglesworth The Winter’s Tale, as well as some exciting news and discussion about contemporary opera, both at ENO and beyond in the coming years.

Speaking of the evening Iain Bell said:

“It was so enthusing to be in a room with so many people excited about the future of opera. ENO has long been at the forefront of contemporary opera, and the passion and level of engagement of the audience is nothing short of inspiring.

We composers are largely solitary creatures when at work, so to have the chance to take the stage with colleagues I respect as much as Nico and Ryan felt particularly special. It was the first time any of us had met. We all have our own operatic flavour, process and stories to tell, so to be given a platform to share and hear these all first-hand meant a great deal, and it was great fun; my abiding memories of the evening are full of laughter, the moment of blind-panic when my phone started ringing notwithstanding.

I look forward to participating in similar ENO events in the future.”