Richard Dawkins makes operatic debut

23 May 2014 The voice of one of the country's best known atheists is to be part of an opera based on a controversial unfinished novel by Mark Twain on 24 May. The opera, written by University of Manchester lecturer in composition Dr Kevin Malone, is based on the celebrated American author's final novel, written between 1897 and 1908 and never completed. Dr Malone wrote the narrative, libretto and music for 'Mysterious 44', which lasts 90 minutes and will be premiered to celebrate the launch of Manchester Opera Project - an organisation devoted to the development of new opera - at the Hallé orchestra's new home, St Peter's in Ancoats. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science has awarded a grant to film the show for dissemination to schools and to be made available on YouTube. A repeat performance of the Arts Council England funded work will be at the Derbyshire Open Arts Festival at Providence Church, New Mills on 25 May. Dr Malone said: "Although it is not meant as an antireligious opera, it does argue for an approach to understanding the world which is based on science and reason, over superstition. "That is why I'm so delighted that Richard Dawkins, one of the country's most influential atheists, is taking part.