Stephen Oliver at 60

Amazingly Stephen Oliver would have been 60 this year. He was so prolific, so early, that even though he died young in 1992, he created a great deal and managed to fit so much in; so one feels that he was older.

The Norwich and Norfolk Festival are celebrating Oliver with an event at the Norwich Playhouse on May 9th, which will feature Oliver's music for the RSC adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby. Also included will be Oliver's mini opera, A Man of Feeling.

I must confess that I was rather disappointed by Oliver's major opera, Timon of Athens when it was first done by ENO. But would welcome a further chance to hear it, perhaps one of our enterprising young opera companies could put together a performance as ENO seem to be ignoring it. Still, it is heartening that the Norwich and Norfolk festival are celebrating Oliver's work. Further details from the web-site here.