25 Jul 2024

Pete and Rachel collaborate on a reinvention of Siddhartha

Musical greats including Sir Elton John and Pete Townshend have joined up with other big musical names to collaborate on a new ’literary and musical reinvention’ of Hermann Hesse’s classic novel Siddhartha.

Pete Townshend and Rachel Fuller

Musicians and actors will feature in The Seeker, which reimagines the classic story as a beautifully illustrated novel and album, authored and composed by Rachel Fuller.

The book is narrated by the late Christopher Plummer, and features performances by Pete Townshend, Sir Elton John, Nakhane, Emeli Sandé, Layton Williams, Sunidhi Chauhan and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and choir. The album features additional music and lyrics by Pete Townshend.

The project will be launched by a podcast series featuring conversations with guests including Pete Townshend, Aurora and more, followed by the album and illustrated novel to be released simultaneously on 7 November 2024. Members of the album cast, together with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and choir, will perform the music at a special concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 6 November, with tickets on sale from early September.

The Seeker music was recorded at Angel Studios in London and stars Pete Townshend as The Ferryman, South African multimedia artist Nakhane as Siddhartha, Sir Elton John as Kamaswami, Emeli Sande as The River, Bollywood star Sunidhi Chauhan as Kamala, Layton Williams as Siddhartha’s son, Tyrone Huntley as Govinda and Biddu as Siddhartha’s father.

The illustrated novel features stunning artwork by Emelia Wharfe, and the limited edition will include a double vinyl of the album with original artwork, with a general trade edition also being published and the music also released as a standalone vinyl edition and on all streaming services.

Rachel Fuller said: “The creation and realisation of The Seeker in musical and book form has been part of my own spiritual journey. This collaboration with the musical artists, orchestra, choir, the illustrator, Emilia Wharfe, and the beloved Christopher Plummer has created something truly magical – far exceeding my original vision for the piece. I feel truly blessed to be a part of it and hope that the story resonates with listeners and readers in today’s world, where we need the energy of love, peace, and hope more than ever. Music and art has been and forever will be universal.”

George Edgeller, associate publisher at Universal Music UK, said: “The Seeker is an enchanting piece of musical and literary storytelling featuring a dazzling array of artists. We can’t wait to share Rachel’s creative vision of a book and record to be experienced and enjoyed alongside each other with fans of this timeless story across the world.”

Maia Snow for The Bookseller, 25 July 2024

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