Several of us in the Ginkgo Music team will be going to Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London on the 30th July to see a new chamber opera about the relationship between Charles Darwin and Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle during its historic five year voyage of discovery. The opera is called The Weather Man and Opera North’s blurb says: “As Darwin developed his theory of theory of natural selection, FitzRoy became an ardent creationist, and the two friends found themselves divided by the 19th Century’s greatest intellectual faultline. This fascinating new chamber opera by composer Paul Clark and librettist John Binias explores the opposition between science and spirituality through spoken voice, baritone, and string quartet.” I’m really excited about it! If you are intrigued by contemporary music responses to Darwin you may also be interested in the Darwin Song Project.