SYNOPSIS

Composed by renowned British composer Jonathan Dove, CBE, A Bridge Across the Sea will have its world premiere on 23 April 2025 at The Esplanade

Inspired by the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana, the choral and orchestral piece composed to mark Tanglin Trust School’s centenary, tells the tale of Rama building a bridge to rescue his wife, Sita, who was held captive by the demon Ravan on the island of Lanka.

The world premiere will showcase both Singaporean and international musical talent. Tanglin Trust School’s combined choirs will perform alongside the Raffles Singers, instrumentalists from Resound Collective, and professional soloists Jonathan Tay and Victoria Songwei Li. Under the experienced baton of Singaporean conductor Lien Boon Hua, more than 500 performers will bring this epic work to life at Singapore’s national performing arts centre.

Behind the Scenes: A Bridge Across the Sea

It’s not every day that a school celebrates its 100th anniversary, but Tanglin is marking this incredible milestone with a year of celebrations and special projects–one of the most exciting being the world premiere of A Bridge Across the Sea. This specially commissioned Cantata, composed by the acclaimed British composer, Jonathan Dove CBE, brings together professional soloists, a children’s Chorus, an adult chorus, and a full orchestra.

Featuring 500 voices at the iconic Esplanade, the performance will showcase acclaimed Singaporean musicians and a distinguished conductor, making it a truly unforgettable musical experience.

What’s the story behind this special commission? Tune in to the podcast here