About
What to expect
The London Sinfonietta explores music by Oliver Knussen in the 75th anniversary year of his birth and by Toshio Hosokawa, with new chamber and ensemble pieces and talks; Japanese culture was a lifelong obsession for Knussen.
Knussen’s final work, O Hototogisu! – Fragment of a Japonisme, is a double concerto for soprano and flute with large ensemble that sets seven haikus about the Japanese cuckoo and incorporates ideas from Japanese Kabuki theatre.
The UK concert premiere of Toshio Hosokawa’s opera The Maiden from the Sea tells of an ancient Japanese ghost meeting a present-day refugee.
The first event of the afternoon includes new works by Royal Overseas League competition winner Edward Driver and a short new duet by Dai Fujikura based on a piece by Steven Gerber.
A new work by Florence Anna Maunders puts young people from the North London Music Hub side-by-side with London Sinfonietta and Royal Academy of Music players.
Talks from 16:00 contextualise Knussen, Hosokawa and the culture of Japan before the evening concert at 17:00.
Questions
When does KNUSSEN & HOSOKAWA start and end?
KNUSSEN & HOSOKAWA runs Sunday, 9 May 2027, 15:00.
Where is KNUSSEN & HOSOKAWA?
KNUSSEN & HOSOKAWA takes place at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London.
How do I book?
Use the registration link on this listing to book.
What is in the programme?
The afternoon includes:
Music by Oliver Knussen and Toshio Hosokawa
New chamber and ensemble pieces
Premieres and talks
An evening concert at 17:00
What is O Hototogisu!?
Knussen’s final work, O Hototogisu! – Fragment of a Japonisme, is a double concerto for soprano and flute with large ensemble.
It sets seven haikus about the Japanese cuckoo.
It incorporates ideas from Japanese Kabuki theatre.
What is The Maiden from the Sea?
Toshio Hosokawa’s opera The Maiden from the Sea receives its UK concert premiere.
It tells of an ancient Japanese ghost meeting a present-day refugee.
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Getting there
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX London, England, GB
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