Composers in the Theatre

Extract

The function of the music in the Old Vic production of ‘Œdipus’ is to provide occasional ‘background,’ fill in awkward gaps and, most important, to help solve the ever difficult problem of the chorus. This particular attempt at a solution seems better than most. The first question Hopkins asked his producer (M. Saint-Denis), I imagine, was: how much or how well can the chorus sing? The answer, I'm pretty sure, was: as little as possible, for (evading the second part of the question) they are not by any means trained musicians.