Gavin’s first opera, The Monstrous Child, has received wide critical acclaim and overwhelming positive audience response after its premiere at the Royal Opera House. Conducted by Jessica Cottis with music performed by the Aurora Orchestra, the cast includes Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Rosie Aldridge, Lucy Schaufer, Daniel Shelvey, Tom Randle, Graeme Broadbent and Elizabeth Karani.
Directed by Timothy Sheader, designed by Paul Wils and with libretto by Francesca Simon, the opera – about the Norse teenage goddess of the underworld, Hel – has been dazzling audiences and critics at a sold-out Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House. The Guardian called it ‘a triumph‘ whilst Culture Whisper called it ‘a spectacular new opera‘. Audiences too have been praising the work on Twitter. Conductor David Charles Abell loved the opera so much he came back a second time:
Author of How to Train Your Dragon, Cressida Cowell, tweeted:
Broadcaster Zeb Soans was also in awe of the production:
Whilst @NatRaybould was thrilled by the Monstrous Child:
And @lana_bode tweeted:
The Monstrous child runs till the 3rd March at the Royal Opera House, Linbury Theatre.
The Guardian ★★★★
The Times ★★★★
The Observer ★★★★
The Stage ★★★★
The Arts Desk ★★★★
Bachtrack ★★★★
Planet Hughill ★★★★1/2
The Express ★★★★
Culture Whisper ★★★★
MusicOMH ★★★★
Opera Now (‘the music is highly engaging’)
The London Magazine (‘The Monstrous Child is a daring and exciting new opera’)