Dodgson's opera, Margaret Catchpole: Two Worlds Apart, is based on a true story, embellished by Richard Cobbold, a Suffolk clergyman and writer, in his 1845 novel.
Album & Artwork
The album's cover image by Leonora Dawson-Bowling is inspired by the original Margaret Catchpole 'wanted' poster.
Composition History
The opera was commissioned by The Brett Valley Society for the Arts, with assistance from the Arts Council, in the late 1970s.
Composer Biography
Stephen Dodgson, the composer, was a distant relative of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as the writer Lewis Carroll.
Recording & Production
This recording of Margaret Catchpole: Two Worlds Apart is a world premiere recording, made in July 2019 at Snape Maltings, Suffolk.
Compositional Technique
Rhythm was a primary constructive power for Dodgson, who often conceived rhythmic shapes before considering the individual notes.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Dodgson's music is tonal but uses no key signatures, allowing it to flow organically, and he believed in expressing profound ideas through simplicity.
