BESLAN

Beslan is not a Cantata Dramatica commission.  The piece was composed by Nick Bicât in collaboration with his brother Tony, as a response to the tragic events in Beslan, North Ossetia, where 186 children and over 140 adults were massacred by Islamic militants who occupied a school and held over 1,100 people hostage for three days in September 2004.

Tony Bicât's enigmatic and challenging lyrics have inspired thirty minutes of lyrical and moving music.  A professional recording of Beslan was made with conductor Andrew Parrott in 2007 and is due for release later this year.

The London premiére of Beslan took place on Saturday 13 September 2014 in the church of St George the Martyr, London SE1.