Posted May 1, 200619 yr Animated band Gorillaz, fronted by ex-Blur legend Damon Albarn, will co-write an opera in 2007. The band are currently writing the music for the opera Monkey Journey to the West alongside leading German opera company Staatsoper and Chinese opera director Chen Shi-Zheng. Saatsoper director Daniel Barenboim revealed his worries regarding musical culture. "The lack of musical education means that music is in danger of losing its place in society," he said. He believes that the unlikely collaboration will inspire younger audiences to enjoy the opera. (from digitalspy) Despite negative reviews for their recent concert stint at Harlem's Apollo Theater, Gorillaz are hardly shying away from the stage. In fact, the animated band is planning to collaborate with the renowned German opera company Staatsoper on a production featuring original Gorillaz music. Gorillaz leader Damon Albarn (who also fronts the seminal Britpop band Blur) will write the music for Monkey Journey To The West, which will depict the metamorphosis of a monkey into a human and will be based on a book by 16th century Chinese author Wu Cheng'en. The production, which will premiere in Berlin on July 31 next year, is a rare and unprecedented attempt to market opera to a younger audience, according to Staatsoper musical director Daniel Barenboim. (from launch.yahoo.com)
