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After reading Rushdie’s novel, Russian composer Victoria Borisova-Ollas decided to turn it into an opera. And with the help of the Hallé Orchestra, Oscar winning film director Mike Figgis and actor Alan Rickman, her dream became a brave but beautiful reality.

Using music, film, song and narration, the resulting powerful performance had murmurs of Baz Lurhman’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

The Hallé began by tiptoeing into Rushdie’s tale of love and rock and roll, bringing with it an audience desperate to find out how this orchestral adaptation would unfold.

The Ground Beneath Her Feet

As the musical tension built, Rickman introduced the audience to the lives of Vina and Ormus, the star-crossed lovers, and to that of his own character, Rai, who is caught up in the love triangle that played out before us.

Vina, played by Loré Lixenberg, and Ormus, played by James McOran-Campbell, begin their relationship as youngsters. Although they eventually marry after decades’ travelling the world as pop stars, they never quite become the couple who will be together forever.

With the help of an orchestral mix of sweeping strings, powerful brass and percussion, Rickman unravels a story of unrequited love.

Whilst Figgis’ film provided the backdrop to the story, depicting the characters’ alter egos, Lixenberg and McOran-Campbell pulled out some impressive vocals. But it was Rickman’s thoughtful yet comedic narration that held the show together.

A far cry from the controversy that has followed the acclaimed author, this thrilling adaptation was about the meeting of musical minds, but most of all, it was a labour of love.