The Story of Magnus Erlendsson was commissioned by the St Magnus International Festival to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Magnus. It was performed in St Magnus Cathedral on 17th June 2017. The libretto by Ron Ferguson is based on the Orkneyinga Saga and includes poems by George Mackay Brown. The opera is for eight singers, chorus, male voice chorus, octet, organ and bells. It tells the life story of Orkney's patron saint, Magnus who ruled Orkney with his cousin Haakon in the 12th century. The libretto was written by Ron Ferguson and is based on the Orkneyinga Saga. The bard who narrated the story was Tom Muir.
The main characters in the opera were:
Magnus Erlendsson sung by Francis Church (Baritone),
Haakon Paulsson sung by David Baker (Bass),
Bishop William sung by Graham Garson (Tenor),
Earl Rognvald sung by Paul Rendall (Tenor),
Magnus' mother, Thora sung by Kristin Linklater (Alto),
Margaret sung by Kirstie Fairney (Soprano),
King Magnus Barelegs sung by Tom Miller (Baritone)
Young Magnus sung by Harry Siderfin (High Tenor)
The work is scored for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, flugelhorn, two tenor trombones, organ and cathedral bells.
The Locked Door is for soprano, mezzo soprano, baritone and quintet, and was performed at the Sound Festival in 2016. The libretto is by Peter Davies. The Locked Door tells the true story of a meeting between composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, his wife Adeline and his mistress, Ursula Wood. During World War II, Vaughan Williams lived at home at White Gates in Sussex with his wife, Adeline, who was crippled with rheumatoid arthritis. Vaughan Williams was too old for active service but had duties as a fire-watcher. Adeline was aware that Ralph was inclined to have relationships with other women and that he met them during his frequent trips to London. This had not been a problem for Adeline as long as the dalliances took place in London. However, one night, Ralph's mistress, Ursula Wood, a poet who had provided the text for some of his pieces, came to the Vaughan Williams' household during an air raid.
Voice is a play for young people that is about Daisy, who is a selective mute. She is very shy and hides in the janitor's cupboard at school. Her class mates try to include her in activities and the janitor cheers her with his jokes and dances with his mop. The class mates find a homeless woman, Betty, hiding at school. She turns out to be an old-time music hall star. They look after her and she performs her routines for the class. The janitor at last has someone to dance with instead of the mop. Betty teaches Daisy to sing and then to speak. Voice (for rock band, piano, five soloists and chorus) was performed by the second year students at Kirkwall Grammar School, Orkney, conducted by Peter Stephenson.