Antony and the Johnsons to team up with the Manchester Camerata

One of the key themes of this year’s Manchester International Festival appears to be combining the talents of contemporary musicians with leading orchestral performers. Not to be outshone by Elbow announcing that they will be performing alongside the Hallé, Antony and the Johnsons will be combining forces with the Manchester Camerata to bring their own intelligent brand of outsider pop to the city for two very special intimate performances at the Opera House on the 3rd and 4th July.

The band are best known for their 2004 release, the Mercury Prize-winning album I Am A Bird Now, which led to Chichester-born, New York-based singer-songwriter Antony Hegarty becoming widely regarded as one of the most fascinating purveyors of the musically magnificent and melodramatic. The Crying Light, Antony’s third studio album released earlier this year, sees the singer-songwriter exploring the theme of “humanity’s delicate relationship with the natural world.”

These are the only UK dates this year that the band will be playing alongside an orchestra. Expanding on last year’s London preview, these shows will feature the complete catalogue of songs from Antony’s new album The Crying Light, which has been orchestrated by New York-based composer Nico Muhly. The set list will also be drawn from Antony and the Johnson’s back catalogue, and will all be staged in a unique light environment created by esteemed artist, Paul Normandale. 

Antony and the Johnsons will be performing at the Manchester Opera House on Friday/Saturday, July 3/4. 

Ticket prices will range between £15 and £32.50 and can be booked either via www.mif.co.uk  or by calling 0844 815 4960.

Christina McDermott, Citylife
Thursday 19 March, 2009

To read this article on the Citylife website, click here