ENO The Mask of Orpheus - Peter Zinovieff

Peter Zinovieff

Librettist

Peter Zinovieff was born 1933, studied Geology at Oxford, and took a D.Phil. in 1958 decoding the Cuillins on Skye. In 1960 he started developing an Electronic Music Studio which became the first computer-controlled studio in the world. EMS, which made synthesisers such as the VCS3, grew out of this studio.

Currently for ENO: The Mask of Orpheus

Career Highlights

Peter worked with many composers in the 1970s especially with Harrison Birtwistle (Chronometer, The Offence) and Hans Werner Henze (Tristan). Between 1976 and 1984 he wrote the libretto and scenario for The Mask of Orpheus.

After many years away from electronic music, (apart from some projects for Clive Sinclair), suddenly out of the blue, in 2010, came a commission from TBA21 to write a composition (Bridges from Somewhere and another to Somewhere Else) for the Morning Line sculpture then in Istanbul. This was followed by many computer music compositions (2010–present day) including two violin concertos (with Aisha Orazbayeva), a cello concerto (with Lucy Railton) a number of poetry and electronic compositions with Katrina Porteous, Good Morning Ludwig for ambisonic sound at ZKM and a number of smaller pieces including Vinteuil (with Anne-Marie Cundy). Recently he has played his compositions and given presentations at many venues – Japan, Russia and extensively in Europe.

Last updated: 13th July 2023