New Turnage cantata for London and Derry-Londonderry

Derry-Londonderry's role as City of Culture 2013 will be celebrated next year with a new cantata from Mark-Antony Turnage with words by the Pullitzer-prizewinning Northern Irish poet Paul Muldoon. The cantata will be premiered simultaneously in London and in Derry-Londonderry on 3 July 2013, with performances at the Guildhall in each city. The cantata, At Sixes and Sevens, will be performed at the Guildhall London by the London Symphony Orchestra and in Derry-Londonderry by Camerata Ireland directed by Barry Douglas.


The cantata celebrates the links between the two cities and will include sections devised by local communities.  The dual premiere will be live-linked using technology, and performers will also include specially formed community ensembles.

A new oratorio, Columba Canticles will be premiered on the feast of St. Columba to mark the association with the saint of Derry's oldest building, St. Columb's Cathedral. The music is by Lawrence Roman, professor of composition at the University of Ulster with verses by Sam Burnside. University choirs from Ulster and Aberdeen will be accompanied by the Southbank Sinfonia.

The London Symphony Orchestra will also visit Derry-Londonderry to perform in the former Ebrington army barracks in March 2013. Camerata Ireland is leading a year long programme for children and young people. The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain will take up residence in Derry-Londonderry in August 2013. The Royal Ballet will be making their first visit to Northern Ireland in over 20 years and will perform with the Ulster Orchestra

Further information from the City of Culture 2013 website.