Last Days

Description

Oliver Leith’s critically-acclaimed chamber opera Last Days premiered to sold-out audiences at London’s Royal Opera House in October 2022. In this new studio recording, releasing on Platoon in June 2024, the stellar cast reprise their original roles and the Jack Sheen-led Ensemble 12 anchors Leith’s taut and deeply imaginative score. Based on the cult film Last Days written and directed by Gus Van Sant, this new opera by composer Oliver Leith and librettist Matt Copson delves into the turmoil that created a modern myth, as we witness the decline of Blake, whose self-destructive spiral is at the heart of this 90-minute opera. QUOTES: Oliver Leith’s score is a sonic tapestry interweaving delicate instrumental effects, ‘found’ sounds and a cappella vocal timbres… The work is exquisitely crafted, particularly as rendered here by the 12th Ensemble string orchestra under Jack Sheen. The Independent Leith’s score, brilliantly performed by the 12 Ensemble under Jack Sheen, is strikingly original. Bachtrack Last Days is Leith’s first opera; I don’t think it will be his last - Evening Standard Leith’s music isn’t trying to impose itself on the subject matter: rather it’s as if he’s found the ideal subject for it to grow out of. - The Stage Jack Sheen conducted the excellent 12 Ensemble… balancing the severity and ravishment of a score that certainly has a real future ahead of it” - Opera