The premiere was streamed live on 12th January 7:30pm at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-EWyT9K3mw

Blown Off Course explores relationships between Portugal and Japan through language, music and food. Since the Portuguese arrived in Japan in the late 15th Century, as the first Europeans to encounter Japan’s rich and fascinating culture, multiple exchanges began and continue to this day. 

This chamber opera recounts the chance meeting of Hanna, a Japanese woman and Valentim, a Portuguese man, in both the 15th Century and today. These encounters are a result of a ship (15th Century) and a plane (today) blown off course by the force of the wind (the narrator). Six centuries apart, these interactions develop relationships through the exchange of sounds, words and food traditions. The wind is a presence prompting seemingly chance events and orchestrated action. Musically, the work feeds from Japanese musical traditions such as Kabuki theatre, Gagaku and Zen Shakuhachi flute music, coming together with Portuguese sources from the 15th and 16th Century. 

The opera is scored for Soprano, Baritone, Narrator, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano, Percussion, Shakuhachi, Electronics, 2 Channel Video and a chef. Commissioned by Miso Music Portugal for the Sond’Ar-te Electric Ensemble with support from Queen’s University Belfast. 

Pedro Rebelo was born in Viseu, Portugal and is Professor of Sonic Arts in the School of Arts, English and Literature and Director of SARC: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Sound and Music at Queen's University Belfast.

Glenn Patterson was born in Belfast and is currently a Professor of Creative Writing in the School of Arts, English and Literature and Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University Belfast.

Tickets will be available at https://www.misomusic.me/concertslist/121314012023