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Damon Albarn's Dr Dee

Opera based project portraying the life of a 16th century scientist

  • 14/06/2011
Blur frontman Damon Albarn at Glastonbury 2009

On July 1, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, Damon Albarn will be unveiling his new project - an opera about the 16th century scientist, mathematician, magician and spy- Doctor John Dee.

By all accounts Dee was a fascinating character - Shakespeare based Prospero on him and he provided inspiration for Marlowe’s Faust and was the advisor to Queen Elizabeth 1st.

007 was the insignia number that Elizabeth was to use for private communiqués between her Court and Dee - something used by Ian Fleming when he came to write James Bond.

Composer Damon Albarn and director Rufus Norris spoke to Radio 4's John Wilson about the project and Damon started by explaining his fascination with the character.

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Read more on Dr John Dee and Damon Albarn on the Today Programme website.

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