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Composer Musgrave, 98, Still Learning and Creating Vital Music
23 Sep
Summary
- Thea Musgrave, 98, actively seeks technical advice from musicians.
- Her opera 'Mary, Queen of Scots' explores themes of gender and power.
- Musgrave's music is noted for its dramatic, physical, and movement-based qualities.
Thea Musgrave, a prolific composer at 98, demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, recently consulting bassoonist Amy Harman for her new concerto. Her opera, 'Mary, Queen of Scots,' premiered this summer and is currently staged at San Francisco Opera. This production highlights Musgrave's mastery of operatic style, weaving together lyricism, drama, and intricate plotting.
The opera's exploration of a woman navigating power in a male-dominated world makes it particularly relevant today. Musgrave has a history of drawing inspiration from prominent historical figures for her dramatic works, including 'Simón Bolívar' and 'Harriet, the Woman Called Moses.'
Born in Scotland in 1928, Musgrave's musicality was shaped by early experiences with music and movement. Her compositional approach emphasizes music as a tangible, moving entity, a characteristic evident in her 'dramatic abstract' works like 'Concerto for Orchestra.'
Musgrave's upcoming opera, 'Orlando -- An Escapade,' based on Virginia Woolf's novel, is set to premiere next year. She continues to compose, stating her intention to focus on projects she personally desires.
