Project Summary
Explore John Lunn’s Zoë in our archive.
Following the overwhelming success of Misper in 1997, Glyndebourne was keen to build on the enthusiasm generated and commission another work from composer John Lunn and librettist Stephen Plaice for young people to both attend and perform in. Both John and Stephen led workshops in Brighton and Hove schools and colleges to involve young people in the creative process and the all-important storyline. Zoë was aimed at 12 – 18 year-olds, a slightly older age group than Misper.
Rehearsals began in January 2000 and culminated in five performances at Glyndebourne between 1 – 4 March 2000 with the Brighton Youth Orchestra. Zoë was very successful with critics and audiences who praised the ‘darkling-chromatic, noir-ish’ sound (the Financial Times) and its cast of ‘stars’ (The Independent). “If I see another opera as enthralling as Zoë this year,” summed up Richard Morrison in the Times, “I shall count myself very lucky. “In December 2000 Channel 4 produced and broadcast Zoë. The broadcast was a hit, capturing the imagination of all ages.