Role

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Composer

Birth

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1955 in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England

 

Robert Hugill is a British composer, writer, and blogger who was born on 14 July 1955 in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a singer. Hugill started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the organ. He attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition with Herbert Howells and conducting with Norman Del Mar. Hugill's early compositions were influenced by the music of Benjamin Britten and Michael Tippett. He wrote his first opera, The Genesis of Frankenstein, in 1986, which was based on Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. The opera was well-received and was performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987. Hugill continued to write operas, including The Numbered, which was based on the play by Elias Canetti, and When a Man Knows, which was based on the play by Alan Richardson. In addition to his operas, Hugill has written a number of choral works, including a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, which was commissioned by St. Paul's Cathedral in London. He has also written instrumental works, including a string quartet and a piano trio. Hugill is also a writer and blogger, and he has written extensively about classical music. He has written for publications such as The Guardian, The Independent, and Classical Music Magazine. He also runs a blog called Planet Hugill, which covers classical music, opera, and other cultural events. One of Hugill's most notable works is his opera The Gardeners, which was commissioned by the Garden Museum in London. The opera tells the story of a group of gardeners who are trying to save their garden from being destroyed by developers. The opera premiered in 2019 and was well-received by critics. Hugill's music is known for its lyrical melodies and use of tonality. He has been influenced by a wide range of composers, including Britten, Tippett, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. His music often explores themes of nature, spirituality, and social justice. In addition to his work as a composer and writer, Hugill is also a music teacher. He has taught at a number of schools and universities, including the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the University of Surrey. Overall, Robert Hugill is a talented composer and writer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His operas, choral works, and instrumental pieces have been performed and recorded by a number of ensembles and musicians. His writing has helped to promote classical music to a wider audience, and his blog has become a valuable resource for music lovers around the world.

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