Tamara Stone

John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, first performed in 2012 in Los Angeles, is something of an expansion on the composer's El Niño, a Passion story adorned with a variety of contemporary themes and musical materials. Like the earlier work, it features a libretto by longtime Adams collaborator Peter Sellars, and it may be sung on-stage as an oratorio or presented as an opera. Mary Magdalene is indeed a central figure in the work, but actually it is more than the trick perspective the title might imply; as with El Niño Sellars incorporates such devices as set pieces featuring poetry by other writers (this time poet Louise Erdrich plays the central role).

Critics and fans alike have fallen in love with the film Philomena as well as its captivating score by Alexandre Desplat, which is now nominated for Best Original Score at the 2014 Academy Awards. Philomena is an emotional story inspired by true events, tinged with both tragedy and comedy, about two very different people who join forces for a remarkable journey. They are seeking to uncover the truth behind a heart-breaking story that has remained amystery for half a century. Legendary Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench (Skyfall, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Shakespeare in Love) stars in the title role as Philomena Lee along side one of Britain's leading comics Steve Coogan (The Look of Love) as Martin Sixsmith, with two-time Oscar nominated Stephen Frears directing. Accompanying the film's remarkablestory of Philomena's extraordinary search for her long lost son, is composer Alexandre Desplat's emotionally riveting score which evokes the compelling narrative of human love and loss that ultimately celebrates life, showing thatthere is laughter even in the darkest places. Desplat's wide usage of instruments gives the film its emotional resonance with both enchantment and a beautifully touching heart.