Nicholas Collon and Aurora Orchestra reflect the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death with a production that takes the audience under the hood of a 20th-century masterpiece and into the mind of the man who made it.
Actors Max Revell, Polly Frame, Craig Stein and Sarah Twomey join our players to bring to life a symphony born in the shadow of Stalin’s regime – music on the edge of life and death by a composer treading a dangerous line between political obedience and artistic defiance.
“Witnessing the unique Aurora Orchestra is a treat in itself, but this inspired collaboration with Frantic Assembly took this Prom to another level.” (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Aliya Al-Hassan, Broadway World)
“The fantasy of those final drum beats being slaps to Stalin’s face ensured no eye in the hall was left dry.” (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Barry Creasy, Music OMH)
“Demonstrating in real time how musical meaning is flexible, always subjective, was virtuosic indeed and a final loosening of gravity’s grasp on the musicians themselves (upended by dancers as they played) was spectacular.” (⭐⭐⭐⭐ Flora Wilson, Guardian)
Co-produced by Aurora Orchestra and the BBC Proms, developed in collaboration with Frantic Assembly.
Want to hear more?
Receive Aurora news by email, including details of upcoming projects, our work with schools and other news. As a charity we will also occasionally ask for your support. Your data will be processed in accordance with our privacy policy.
