A FOUNTAIN SEALED

a new opera
by Nathan Williamson
and Thomas Walton

A Fountain Sealed, a new opera by Nathan Williamson to a libretto by Thomas Walton. 

This opera has a timely and compelling subject matter, examining conflicts between human emotions, private faith and public image, through attitudes toward sexuality and unorthodox relationships within the Church and, to a certain extent, society as a whole. 

The work has a proven stage history and enthusiastic critical reception: three scenes were performed at Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre, 2007), to which Rupert Christiansen responded in the Daily Telegraph "...the unabashed romanticism of both the theme and the music proved rather thrilling. People don't write opera like this any more, and perhaps they should." (A DVD of this performance is available on request). 

The composer has a burgeoning reputation as one of this country's most individual young music creators, attracting increasingly high profile commissions from the finest young performers in the UK and abroad. His music's inherent dramatic quality and gift for vocal writing (he has previous training as a singer) has not yet had the opportunity for exposure in a major music theatre work that it deserves.  

This project will widen Charles Court Opera's output and the commissioning and development of a new work, in particular, will enhance our standing in contemporary opera and theatre circles. The necessary exposure of the project as we move towards full production will naturally increase the company's profile and greatly contribute towards our goals of providing opportunities for singers in the early stages of their careers.