Pleasure, Lyric Hammersmith

The Royal Opera premieres rising composer Mark Simpson's first opera, set in a gay club

Pleasure, Lyric Hammersmith
Mark Simpson (Sparks) is not your run of the mill rising talent. The only person to ever win both the annual BBC Young Musician and BBC Young Composer awards, his career over the past few years has soared from strength to strength. His music, praised for its invention and uncompromising style, has even been premiered at the Last Night of the Proms.

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Now, as part of the Royal Opera House’s Spring Season, he will present his debut opera on the Lyric Hammersmith stage. Director Tim Albery (Tannhauser) – one of Britain’s most experienced and venerated theatrical maestros – will create the production, while conductor Nicholas Kok leads the orchestra.
The libretto, written by the award-winning Melanie Challenger (Galatea), promises to pull opera right into the present day. Set over a single night in the gay club Pleasure, it tells the tale of staunch cleaning girl Val. When a young man leaves her a gift, however, the night takes a dark turn. With its contemporary plot and Simpson’s colourful music, this looks to be opera at the cutting edge.
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What Pleasure, Lyric Hammersmith
Where Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St, W6 0QL | MAP
Nearest tube Hammersmith (Piccadilly and District lines) (underground)
When 12 May 16 – 14 May 16, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Price £15-35
Website Click here to book via the Royal Opera House




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