Coronet Inside Out: Richard Thomas And Philip Edward Fisher
The Covid-19 Variations
Award-winning composer Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer – The Opera; Anna Nicole) has shared his “Piano Drama” The Covid-19 Variations, performed by acclaimed pianist Philip Edward Fisher.
“As performers, it is generally the case that we are employing our imagination to conjure up a narrative with which to inform an interpretation of a work. In the case of Richard’s Covid-19 Variations, I didn’t have to. Having had the virus back in March, I immediately recognised each feeling and emotion portrayed, and was able to channel that direct personal experience into my performance. This was a unique sensation, and a powerful one.
It was very moving to be a part of bringing to life Richard’s incredible mix of wit, sensibility and profound artistry in this wonderful “Piano Drama” that so aptly captures the current state of the world.” – Philip Edward Fisher
Click here to see the other work available to watch for free on Coronet Inside Out.
Richard Thomas
Richard Thomas is the Olivier award-winning creator/composer of the globe-trotting Jerry Springer – The Opera (National Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, Carnegie Hall, BBC2, Sydney Opera House, Off-Broadway). He wrote the book and lyrics for the hit opera, Anna Nicole. (Royal Opera House, BAM New York, BBC 2, Nuremberg, Dortmund). West End credits also include lyrics for Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre) music and lyrics for the dance show, Shoes (Sadlers Wells, Peacock).
Richard is the creator of Kombat Opera Presents…. five award-winning half hour comic musicals produced for BBC2 which won two Rose D’OR Internationals TV awards. Recently he has co-written all songs for two seasons of The Tracey Ullmann Show (BBC1, HBO, twice-Emmy nominated); adapted lyrcis for Lehar’s The Merry Widow (ENO Coliseum) and composer lyricist for National Theatre of Scotland and BOP’s multi award-winning My Left Right Foot – The Musical (Edinburgh Festival, Shizuoka World Theatre Festival), The Divine Ms Jayde at the Soho Theatre and Jonny Woo’s All-Star Brexit Cabaret (Edinburgh and ENO Coliseum, Soho theatre).
Richard started out in Comedy in a double act touring nationally and internationally and working as composer/ music director for Harry Hill (national tour) Stewart Lee and Richard Herring (two BBC2 series and national tour) Frank Skinner (five seasons BBC1, ITV), Simon Munnery (BBC2 Series Attention, Scum) and Robert Newman (national tour).
Philip Edward Fisher
Philip Edward Fisher is recognized widely as a unique performer of refined style and exceptional versatility. He has appeared across his native United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. His extensive recording credits include a 2-disc set of Handel Keyboard Suites on the Naxos label, while his recent release for Chandos – Piano Works by “The Mighty Handful” – was featured on Classic FM as John Suchet’s “Album of the Week”, as “CD of the Week” in the London Telegraph, and was shortlisted in the Best Solo Instrumental Album category of the International Classical Music Awards.
He has performed concertos with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Copenhagen Philharmonic, the Tampere Philharmonic, the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and the Symphonies of Albany, San Antonio, Toledo and the Juilliard School, working with conductors Hannu Lintu, David Alan Miller, John Axelrod, Sebastian Lang-Lessing, Cristian Macelaru, Larry Rachleff, James Lowe and Giordano Bellincampi.
Philip holds degrees from the Royal Academy of Music and the Juilliard School, having studied with Christopher Elton, Joseph Kalichstein, and Jerome Lowenthal. In 2001, he was granted the Julius Isserlis Scholarship by the Royal Philharmonic Society of London, and was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music as part of their honours list for 2016.