When his rock musician son George died by suicide, business coach Nigel Linacre started to write poetry.
His friend, contemporary jazz band leader Vladimir Miller, who lost a band member to suicide earlier in his career, then began composing using George’s bass rhythms.
The result is the Grief Opera – a work that shines a spotlight on suicide, the most common cause of death in young men, and the consequent, harrowing grief.
Nigel, who lives in Chippenham and is also chair of African water charity WellBoring, and Vladimir are bringing the Grief Opera to Bath next Tuesday – World Suicide Prevention Day – in the hope that it will enable people to have potentially suicide-prevention conversations and to work with their grief.
They will be accompanied at the concert, which takes place at Burdall's Yard on Anglo Terrace and is staged in collaboration with Suicide&Co, by a number of performers who have also been affected by suicide.
Rather than being limited by a single genre, the Grief Opera uses classical and jazz forms, and is described as “part-opera, part-concert and part-musical”.
It moves from a father’s last conversations with his son, through the shock of the news, to the challenges of continuing to exist in grief. It is a journey from shock and pain to profound love.
Nigel, who didn’t see his son’s suicide coming – George died in 2021, aged 32 – will sing alongside Gavin Macrae, who lost his son Owen to suicide several years ago.
At its preview performance in 2022, the Grief Opera received a standing ovation and was described as “heart-breaking but hopeful” and “harrowing but ultimately uplifting”.
Pictured: Nigel Linacre, right, with Vladimir Miller
Those attending performances in Chippenham, Bristol and London since then have described it as an “incredible, unique experience” and “so moving, so many emotions and outlets are opened”.
Also performing on Tuesday will be Neil Latchman, an internationally renowned classical opera singer, and vocalist Keri Farish, George Linacre’s aunt.
George’s progressive rock band Eschar released Elements and Nova on Spotify. Music was George’s creative outlet but lockdown stopped his band rehearsing and playing.
For more information on the Grief Opera and to book for Tuesday’s concert, which starts at 7.15pm , click here
Half of the funds from ticket sales will go to Suicide&Co, raising money to provide counselling for people bereaved by suicide.
