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Personal message:
from 'gateway' news this morning.
Rock Legend Pete Townshend Premieres New Rock Opera
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000226/re/britain_townshend_2.html
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Saturday February 26 4:39 AM ET
Rock Legend Pete Townshend Premieres New Rock Opera
By Rajiv Sekhri LONDON (Reuters) - Rock legend Pete Townshend brought to fruition 30 years of work with the live premiere of his rock opera ``Lifehouse'' in London on Friday. Townshend, who was part of the rock group The Who, has been developing ``Lifehouse'' since 1970. The story of a post-apocalyptic society has become topical with its portrayal of a vast communication network called the Grid -- similar to the Internet -- used for all interaction by urban communities who have fled indoors from rampant pollution. In fact, the piece is scheduled to be broadcast on the Internet in April or May by MCY.com, a New York-based company that offers digital downloads of popular music. ``The inspiration for (Lifehouse) came from a lot of things,'' a tired Townshend told Reuters after the performance at a packed Sadler's Wells Theater in London. ``It came from a spiritual journey into the cosmic world of Woodstock and Sufi writings of Mehar Baba.'' Three decades ago, when Townshend began work on the rock opera and the Internet was still a fantasy, he found little interest for his mix of science fiction, spirituality, eastern mysticism and good old rock and roll. ``Lifehouse was intended as film script but floundered effectively every time,'' said Nick Goderson, Townshend's business manager. He said Friday's performance might lead to a bigger, more dramatic show with more interaction with the audience. At the premiere, Townshend, 54, took the risk of putting a rock band -- without a drummer -- in front of the 28-piece London Chamber Orchestra, and interspersing both with poetry, for a show that had seen only two weeks' practice. Townshend apologized for what he felt was an unrehearsed performance, but the 1,500 fans clapped, cheered and screamed as he sang ``Baba O'Riley,'' ``Behind Blue Eyes,'' and ``Won't Get Fooled Again.'' Goderson said Townshend's goal was to take ``Lifehouse,'' which was playing again at Sadler's Wells on Saturday, to a much wider audience: ``It seemed to us that the best way to do this would be to webcast rather than go the traditional route by television or video.'' Earlier Stories
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