24-25 Feb 2007

19.30, RSC, The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6BB; Box Office 0870 609 1110

Tickets: £5-£20

Gavin Bryars curates this unique project, for which contemporary composers and musicians from across the globe set their chosen sonnets across an eclectic range of musical styles.

The music has been composed by violinist Alexander Balanescu, singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs), Antony Hegarty (Antony and the John sons, Mercury Prize winners 2005), Liz Fraser (The Cocteau Twins), and Irish singer/songwriter Gavin Friday.

A chamber orchestra of eight musicians shares the stage with three guest singers and RSC actors, to present the selected sonnets in speech and song. The second half sees the premiere of a major new commission; Gavin Bryars’ Nothing Like The Sun, a musical setting of a series of sonnets, accompanied by a specially commissioned film projection.

More details on www.rsc.org.uk