A ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Opera Is Out Now, Focusing On ‘The Silmarillion’
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Tolkien fans have clamored for an adaptation of The Silmarillion for decades. It’s an understandably difficult feat considering the book spans the creation of the world until the end of the Second Age, a period that spans thousands and thousands and thousands of years, and the initial years prior to the Years of the Trees are unknown. That’s hard to do in a movie, let alone a trilogy.
One format fans may not have expected to be an adaptation route for The Silmarillion is opera, but that is now a reality. Since the 1980s, there has been an effort to adapt the book into an opera with the permission of the Tolkien Estate. Volante Opera Productions has spent the last six years compiling and bringing the composition to the listening public. The compositions encompass The Silmarillion and the tales within, such as The Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, Feanor, and The Fall of Gondolin.
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At over nine hours and performed by the Welsh National Opera, the cycle represents the largest work of classical music written in Wales in the 20th century. The text is taken from Tolkien’s work as well. While it is not the entire breadth of The Silmarillion, as it’s scenes and tales from within, it’s still an incredible undertaking.
In addition, a fifth and final piece is coming into the cycle. This last piece will finish off the First Age in grand fashion as the War of Wrath, the great final battle of the First Age where the Valar and Elves and Men and Dwarves fight the forces of evil under Morgoth. It is due to release sometime next year, likely in the summer.
Together, they come as double CDs, in one set with full and vocal scores, as well as the text with relevant translations and several other features. That suite is available from Paul Corfield Godfrey’s website. For signed copies, fans will have to visit the Volante Opera Productions site. Digital downloads and double CDs are available through all standard avenues.
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Source(s): TheOneRing.net
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