Manchester Camerata: 8 Songs for a Mad King

This semi-staged concert is based on our preconceptions of mental illness, with each piece having a connection to the psychology of the mind – centred around Peter Maxwell Davies’ harrowing depiction of the ‘madness’ of King George III.

Maxwell Davies was a key member of the Manchester School of Composers, who reshaped the landscape of British music in the late 20th century. 8 Songs for a Mad King is a melodrama with a libretto based on the real-life observations of King George III, presenting an extravagant and disturbing portrayal of his condition.

Vocalising weirdly as he bemoans his fate, trying to teach his instrumentalist-birds to sing – our musicians becoming projections from within his own mind.

In this interpretation of this shocking masterwork, the protagonist role of King George III will be brought to life by the mezzo-soprano Idunnu Münch. Through her performance, she gives voice to the narratives surrounding mental illness, particularly those shaped by the female experience.

Brace yourself for this theatre classic, where the music doesn’t just speak, it screams, whispers, and unravels at the brink of madness.