In an unprecedented move, the Tolkien Estate has given its nod to the first-ever opera based on “The Lord of the Rings”.
This news emerges from the depths of Middle-earth and onto the stage, as British composer Paul Corfield Godfrey has been chosen to translate the timeless words of J.R.R. Tolkien into a musical saga.
Decades in the making
Godfrey’s quest began nearly six decades ago, with his musical sketches inspired by Tolkien’s legendarium. Following his recent completion of a colossal ten-CD series from “The Silmarillion”, the composer’s lifelong dream to bring “The Lord of the Rings” to operatic life is coming to fruition.
Epic in scale
Godfrey’s vision includes a mammoth 30-chapter performance, to be held over six nights, echoing the vastness of Wagner’s “The Ring Cycle”. The adaptation promises over 15 hours of music, staying faithful to Tolkien’s original narrative, including often-overlooked segments like Tom Bombadil and the ‘scouring of the Shire’. For fans, the coronation and wedding of Aragorn will receive an elaborate musical celebration.
The cast will be composed mostly of Welsh National Opera professionalism and recorded with Volante Opera. Prima Facie Records plans to release it 2025, following the successful blueprint of their “Silmarillion” project.
My precious
The blockbuster opera is set to enchant audiences on the global stage precisely seven decades after the novel’s first appearance. With its blend of familiar themes and new musical explorations, this operatic retelling is not just a tribute to Tolkien’s masterpiece, but a revival of his world through the power of music.
Stay tuned for an epic journey!
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