Details

Based on the true story of a young miner in the North East of England during the mining strikes of the 1830s, The Blackened Man tells the tale of Will Jobling, who is falsely accused of murdering a magistrate and sentenced to death by hanging - his body, dipped in tar, left on a gibbet over the Jarrow marshes as an example to the striking miners. Woven into this dark tale is the story of the love between Will and his young wife Isabella and the treachery of his friend Ralph Armstrong. Commissioned as part of the 'International Giuseppe Verdi Competition for the composition of a lyric opera', The Blackened Man was one of only three operas to be accepted into the finals by a panel of judges that included Paola Arca, Pierluigi Petrobelli and Hans Werner Henze. Showcase performances - semi staged.

Cast/Performers

William Allenby, David Barrell, Graeme Danby, Mark Evans, Naomi Harvey, Andrew MacKenzie-Wicks, Valerie Reid, Ralph Woodward (piano), Natalie Murray (piano)

Creatives/Company

Music: Will Todd
Lyrics: Ben Dunwell
Company: London Voices
Conductor: Alistair Dawes
Director: David Edwards
Lighting: Simon Corder