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Rolf Hind: Sky in a Small Cage

The extraordinary life of Rumi

A pale purple, oval shape, reflective of a mirror or window, sits in the centre of the image, surrounded by a dark orange colour with candle smoke and lens flares creating textural elements.

Direct from the Copenhagen Opera Festival, Mahogany Opera opens our season with the UK premiere of Rolf Hind’s much-anticipated new work inspired by the influential Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi. 

Delivered by an outstanding cast directed by Frederic Wake-Walker, Hind’s opera employs excerpts from Rumi’s poetry in translation together with words by the award-winning poet Dante Micheaux to create a powerful multi-disciplinary piece chronicling love, loss, and spirituality. 

A ‘genre-crossing virtuoso’ (Financial Times), narrator Elaine Mitchener anchors a cast including countertenor James Hall and bass-baritone-dancer Yannis François who will portray the intensely spiritual relationship between Rumi and his guide and soulmate, Shams. Completing the line-up are mezzo extraordinaire Loré Lixenberg, six fiercely talented ensemble singers, and the exhilarating Riot Ensemble.

The end time for this concert will be added here closer to the performance date

Produced by the Barbican

Commissioned by Mahogany Opera with support from the Nicholas Berwin Charitable Trust'

Members enjoy 20% off tickets.

No booking fees. 

Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices for this performance.

2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability.

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£10

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.

Subject to availability.

Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online. 

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket. 

Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.

20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

Subject to availability.

*Excludes £4 booking fee
Ticket prices for this performance may be adjusted over time in response to demand

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