Dove - Siren Song Full Score Book

First performance: 14 July 1994, Almeida TheatreCommissioned by the Almeida Theatre

Siren Song is a bizarre, true story. A young sailor on HMS Ark Royal exchanges letters with a beautiful and successful model. Over time a romantic and passionate relationship develops, but a meeting proves increasingly difficult to arrange...

When composer Jonathan Dove came across the extraordinary story of Dave Palmer he knew it was the plot for an opera. Almeida Opera liked the idea, and commissioned him to write it. In 1994, Siren Song played to packed houses, received rave reviews, and attracted considerable attention. However, it has yet to be given a second production.Its compact scale - a 70-minute work for five singers, an actor, and an orchestra of ten players - and a skilful, witty libretto by Nick Dear (well-known as a playwright and successful television screenwriter) make it ideal for the small screen. The work is full of opportunities for visual magic, including exotic locations and, especially, the character of Diana, the model who Dave could see so vividly in his mind's eye, but who did not exist.