Friendships in Constant Repair: Perspectives on the Life of Stephen Oliver

2010 | Biography

Stephen Oliver was quite simply, one of the most talented composers of his generation. His premature death at 42 took from the musical world a prodigious talent and a generous patron of the arts. This year, 2010, marks what would have been Stephen's 60th birthday. To commemorate his unique life his sister and brother, Ruth and James Oliver, have compiled this wonderful book which brings together the biography of his childhood and school days, personal memories and photos, Stephen's own writings and touchingly, memories of Stephen from many luminaries in the musical, theatrical and operatic world (including actor Sir Simon Callow, lyricist Sir Tim Rice and National Theatre artistic director, Sir Nicholas Hytner). Stephen himself will be best remembered as a prolific composer of some fifty operas - from mini-operas to major works for professional opera companies at home and abroad. He wrote substantial incidental music for the Royal Shakespeare Company (including the epic Nicholas Nickleby) and the BBC (including Lord of the Rings), a musical Blondel (with Tim Rice), together with a large portfolio of choral items.

His list of works records over four hundred compositions, all created in just forty two years of life, making him one of the most important British composers of the age. Stephen also wrote and presented the BBC2 series Understanding Opera and was a regular contributor on Radio 4's Stop the Week. His talks and lectures on music and literature were legendary. This important new book offers anyone with an interest in the arts an overview of one of our most talented, and sadly missed composers - as well as rewarding readers with an insight into the British Arts scene from the 1960s to the 1990s.

James Oliver (Author)

Ruth Oliver (Author)