Albarn Makes Obscure Scientist Opera Subject

Damon Albarn has spoken to Sky News about why he created a new opera about an obscure 16th century physicist and philosopher.

The Blur frontman's new project explores the history of the mysterious Dr John Dee - a scientist and mathematician who was a key advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.

Albarn told Sky News: "You've heard of him through Marlowe's Faust, Shakespeare's Prospero, he affected everyone at that time - he was a very big figure in Elizabethan England."

It is the second opera for Albarn following 2007's Monkey: Journey to the West.

This time he has collaborated with theatre director Rufus Norris and the English National Opera.

Since taking a break from Blur, Albarn has proved he is constantly looking to push musical boundaries.

He is also the vocalist and songwriter for animated band Gorillaz.

He told Sky News: "I get excited about a lot of stuff a lot of the time, but the thing that has to happen in any project is that total emersion and that emotional connection."

An album is being released alongside the opera which forms part of this summer's cultural Olympiad.

Meanwhile Albarn's Britpop band Blur will headline a one-off concert to celebrate the end of the Olympic Games on August 12.