"Utterly enchanting!"
Petroc Trelawny – BBC Radio 3
A Celebrated Musical Retelling of the Dickens's Classic
Composed by Will Todd, with a libretto by David Simpatico, Opera Holland Park have interwoven the melodies of traditional Victorian carols and the midwinter chimes of hand bells to beautifully tell each episode of Charles Dickens’s seasonal ghost story.
"Glorious piece of theatre music!"
Petroc Trelawny – BBC Radio 3
Will Todd and David Simpatico’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Sinfonia Smith Square, London and Holy Trinity Church, Guildford.
“Back at the start of my music making I had a dream to make a musical version of Christmas Carol. I was captivated by Scrooge, Marley and the ghosts, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim and the ultimately wonderfully redemptive story of how Scrooge comes to open his heart to the world. So I did what any 10-year-old would do, I started writing a musical about it.
“I’ve continued deep down to want to ‘finish’ that idea so imagine my joy when US writer David Simpatico suggested we collaborate on a version of Christmas Carol using an actor as Scrooge/Narrator and eight opera singers playing parts and singing Christmas Carols.”
"Will Todd’s musical telling of the story, with a libretto by David Simpatico, captures the spirit of the tale perfectly."
Sam Smith – Music OMH
“I discovered that by editing down the language and story to focus on the emotional journey of Scrooge and the other characters, Dickens’ words hit the ear with simple but amplified clarity and urgency. David Simpatico
“We all deserve a bit of redemption, and when better than on Christmas Eve?”
"My Christmas has been greatly enriched by such a masterful combination of unique talent at every level. This is a work that anyone who loves Charles Dickens literature MUST take the time to see and appreciate it."
Martin Nicholls – member of the Dickens Pickwick Club
"Enough to see everyone leave the performance filled with a hefty dose of festive cheer."
Sam Smith – Music OMH
“David’s done a fantastic adaptation using only Dickens’ original text and I’ve created music and songs with that to create what we hope is a magical presentation of this timeless story.
“We were incredibly fortunate that Opera Holland Park, who commissioned my opera Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 2013, were keen to help us develop the piece and that it’s now happening.”
"A lovely Christmas night out!"
Petroc Trelawny – BBC Radio 3
Full Score
Instrumental Parts