One Before Zero

An Oratorio in English, French and German in one movement for orchestra, solo baritone, solo mezzo soprano with men and boys’ choir.

Text by Ben Maier & Benjamin Ellin

The moment before battle, before zero, zero hour - the time at which hostilities commence - when all that is known can be turned upside down & where a world of emotions can surely fly through the mind and soul of any soldier.

Commissioned by l'Orchestre de Picardie for the Network ONE® - an Orchestra Network for Europe.

ONE BEFORE ZERO was premiered on 11th Nov., 2016 (Remembrance Day) at the Maison de la Culture, Amiens, France. The performance was conducted by Arie van Beek with Orchestre de Picardie.

It has been performed again on:

2/11/16 Beauvais, France by the Orchestre de Picardie conducted by Arie van Beek

11/10/18 Žilina, Slovakia by Chamber Orchestra of Slovakia conducted by the composer

9/11/18 Jena, Germany by Jena Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer

Benjamin Ellin: Award-winning and critically acclaimed British composer and conductor Benjamin Ellin has received commissions from organisations including the Hallé Orchestra, Orchestre Chambre D’Auvergne (France), Orchestre de Picardie (France), Shanghai Opera, Trio Chausson, Concordia Foundation, Maison de la Culture (Amiens) and the SoWeCa International Festival and the Fort Macleod International Festival, Canada. Both Benjamin’s own debut composition CD, Three States at Play, and the East/West fusion group, Tafahum’s debut album ‘Osmosis’, featuring almost all Benjamin’s own compositions, have been released to critical acclaim.