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This year for the first time in its history The Dulwich Festival will be presenting the world premiere of a new chamber opera, Blood Rose. Written by Mark Glentworth, with libretto by Carolyn Herail and led by the acclaimed conductor Jeremy Silver and the director Michael Gieleta, it promises to be a major highlight of the festival.

The one-act opera is an imaginative retelling of Oscar Wilde’s “The Nightingale And The Rose’ which is ted youa story of love, beauty, courage and the ultimate sacrifice. David Dean spoke to local composer Mark Glentworth, who lives in Forest Hill.

What motivated you to write the Opera ‘Blood Rose’?
I have been writing music for theatre productions for many years and in particular have been collaborating with Stephen Berkoff for around 25 years, most recently on a production of ‘On The Waterfront’ in Nottingham, (which now appears to be destined for the West End), and wanted to extend this successful experience of combining words and music into a new area. Also my partner Carolyn has written the libretto and performs the lead role in the opera, and this was a unique chance to work together.

Looking at the world of opera, we believe there is the possibility to expand the repertoire and a need for works that are more accessible using smaller forces of musicians. 99% of current opera repertoire comprises of repeat performances of often-performed works, albeit in new productions, and there is very little new work around.

The feedback from the singers and musicians we have had on the project has been very positive so far - although the music has been described as lyrical, it is still modern so we hope it will stand the test of time.

What attracted you to this subject matter?
To be frank, subjects that can be transformed into opera are very rare. The people that govern the estates of writers in most cases won’t give you the rights to use the material - they all seem to be waiting to be approached by Andrew Lloyd Webber! You either have to use work that is in the public domain or start from scratch writing the story yourself.

We were attracted by the poetic elements in Oscar Wilde’s story and its compactness. You have to bear in mind that long complicated plots do not necessarily lend themselves easily to Opera.

In Carolyn’s adaptation the story has gradually taken on a life of its own and become something much more ‘operatic’.

What kind of influences have shaped your compositions?
Oh, a very broad range of things – when I was a child I listened to popular music and as I grew older I became more interested in Jazz, but a lot of my experience has been playing classical music, first at the Royal Northern College of Music and later in Peter Maxwell Davies’ ensemble the ‘Fires of London’.

Much of my compositional work has been in theatre combining text and music and it feels like a natural progression to move into opera.

Can you tell us what its like putting together a new opera?
Well, despite this being a chamber work of one act, it is still a huge undertaking to get something like this off the ground.

Any new music is demanding and requires top-level professional performers and direction, and many hours of rehearsals. We have been working very hard within a short period to achieve a high-quality production. The musical director Jeremy Silver is a vastly experienced conductor in the world of opera. He has worked with English National Opera and Scottish Opera and many other companies, both at home and abroad, and has particular expertise in the field of modern opera.

Michael Giuletta, the Director, has extensive experience in directing work both for the theatre and the opera stage.

They will be both looking after five singers including Mezzo Soprano Carol Rowlands, who has recently been singing in Birtwistle’s ‘Punch and Judy’ and they will be supported by five musicians.

With only a few days now until the opening night things are getting really hectic and we’ll be having rehearsals twice a day from now on - I hope to get a couple of hours sleep between now and next Saturday.

Performances of Blood Rose are on Sat 17th and Sun 18th May at 8pm at the Prissian Theatre, James Allen’s Girls School, 144 East Dulwich Grove London SE22.

Tickets are £15 (£12 concessions) available on the door, but to be sure to get a seat, advance reservations can be made on on-line at www.dulwichfestival.co.uk.