Angel’s Bone

In this performance of Du Yun’s work, you will encounter a score that resists traditional operatic boundaries. The musical landscape shifts between the raw energy of punk and the precision of electronic textures, often underpinned by choral passages that ground the drama. As the narrative unfolds, you should listen for the ways in which these contrasting genres represent the tension between the celestial and the mundane. The piece functions as a modern allegory, using its eclectic instrumentation to mirror a gritty and challenging subject matter. The structure is lean and continuous, designed to maintain a sense of urgency. We suggest focusing on how the electronic elements interact with the live vocal lines, creating an atmosphere that feels distinctly contemporary and restless. By blurring the lines between different musical traditions, the evening offers a visceral reflection on the darker aspects of human nature, presented through a compact and innovative sonic lens.

English National Opera brings this production to their home at the London Coliseum, led by conductor Baldur Brönnimann. The ensemble is widely recognised for its commitment to making opera accessible and for its broad repertoire that ranges from core classics to significant contemporary works. The cast features Mariam Wallentin, Allison Cook, and Rodney Earl Clarke, alongside Matthew McKinney and Keith Pun. These soloists are known for their versatility in demanding modern roles. Together with the company’s resident orchestra and chorus, they are experienced in navigating the complex vocal and instrumental demands of genre-blurring twentieth and twenty-first-century scores.

This performance takes place at the London Coliseum in the West End. With a running time of approximately seventy-five minutes and no interval, it is an ideal choice if you prefer a shorter, more concentrated evening at the theatre. As is standard for the English National Opera, the work will be performed in English. The production’s brief duration and modern themes make it a suitable entry point for those new to the genre. Tickets are available starting from twenty-five pounds. You should arrive in time to be seated before the continuous performance begins, as there is no break in the staging.