The Devil's Den
By Isabella Gellis

Set in a nameless village, the opera follows a child, a rabbit, a devil and a druid, all mysteriously connected to an ancient burial chamber. At its heart is a live Morris dancing side, whose exuberant and ritualistic movements both surround the drama and propel it forward – the first time this has ever been attempted in an opera.

Inspired by Ben Edge’s painting of the same name, The Devil’s Den is the debut full-length stage work from Isabella Gellis, whose music has been championed by Sir Antonio Pappano, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Aspen Festival Orchestra. Her score is tactile and melodic, drawing on folk tradition without directly imitating it to create something both contemporary and timeless.

Directed by Shadwell founder Jack Furness and conducted by Artistic Director Finnegan Downie Dear, the cast includes Jennifer France, Lotte Betts-Dean, Nicholas Morris and Ossian Huskinson, alongside dancers from Sheffield City Morris.