Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1993)
A musical treatment of the life of Brunel (1806 ?1859), the famous 19th Century Engineer who built the Great Western Railway and the SS Great Britain. Through-scored with a large orchestra - intended as an amplified show.
libretto Ben Dunwell
Written in Bristol between 1991 and 1993 and premiered at the Colston Hall, Bristol to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the launch of the SS Great Britain.
July 18th 1993 - Colston Hall Bristol Brunel Ensemble conducted by Christopher Austin Cast including Jennifer Maybee, Kit Benjamin, David O'Keefe Directed by Philip Ives
“Todd's strident modern score, heavy on the timpani and brass and full of engineering symbolism, is ... impressive, sustaining the dark narrative line for almost three hours quite splendidly.”
Jeremy Brien/ The Stage/ 1993