differences in demolition

Did anyone else get to see/hear the new opera by Nigel Osbourne
"Differences in Demolition"? It was on in London for 3 nights as part
of the City of London Festival, and it took place at an old Victorian
Music Hall in the East End name of Wilton's Music Hall.

Nigel Osbourne spent a time in Bosnia during the war there and he
collaborated with a Bosnian Poet, Goran Simic who wrote the libretto.
A pretty convoluted story happening in different times, some real,
some symbolic, not a lot of dramatic tension to sustain it for me.
Even with the fancy direction by Lenka Udovicki. Great singing and
acting by an international (mostly British cast).

The music was pretty good though. There was a chamber ensemble of
Clarinet, Cello, Violin, Viola, Accordeon and percussion: members of
the Mostar Sinfonietta. Mixing in modernist stuff (atonal vocal lines,
textural noise/harmony) with some actually quite beautiful melodies
based on Sephardic scales and Turkish maqaams in what he calls a
Sevdah Opera (sevdah being Bosnian folk music).

In the programme, Osbourne claims heritage from Bartok - synthesizing
modernism and folk tradition. But I remain unconvinced. Bartok went
deep into the folk scales and melodies of his native Hungary and
neighbouring countries. Osbourne on the other hand uses the scales he
finds to create effect. Some of the songs were however beautiful and
memorable.

Keep an eye out for it if it comes your way.

rgds

Schoferhoffer