The Knife Compose An Opera

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We're so excited we originally posted this one in ALL CAPS.

Swedish brother and sister electro pop duo, The Knife, are currently composing an opera based on Darwin's On the Origin of Species called "Tomorrow, in a year."

Commissioned by the Danish theatre group, Hotel Pro Forma, the piece will premiere in November of 2009, in honor of the 150th anniversary of Darwin's famed text.

According to Hotel Pro Forma's press materials: "The Swedish music group The Knife creates completely new compositions that challenge the conventional conception of opera. The form is experimental and exploratory. The music is written for three singers who come from different backgrounds: electronica pop, classical opera and performance."

According to their webpage Olof Dreijer (one half of The Knife) is now in the Amazon taking field recordings of animals, fish and plants that will be used in the composition. The other half, Karin Dreijer Andersson, is taking publicity photos like the one you see above.

"Challenge the conventional conception of opera?" Well, this begs us to ask, is it opera then? Or is opera that is merely evolving to our modern times and sensibilities? I know what Darwin would say.

Regardless of what it is or isn't, this is exciting news here at the Aria Serious tower as we're always interested in hearing new operas and we've been The Knife fans for some time now, however kooky they might be.

-- Edward

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