DMRoberts wrote:

Did Paul say he had what he thinks is Naomi Mitchison's copy of The Hobbit?? That's very cool. The AI voice being patchy and the Portuguese subtitles give that impression.
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Oh, and I also just now realise now that 'next years The Hobbit' doesn't mean an edition of a book, but the printed material for the operatic adaptation.

Paul was related to Naomi Mitchison through marriage. In around 1956 Lois Mitchison, Naomi's daughter gave Paul her copy of the Hobbit which we believe Tolkien had provided. But obviously Paul only has his memory as a child to go on.

On The Hobbit. We will release an opera of it next year. Naturally that is a much shorter work than this years Lord of the Rings, no trilogy for Paul's adaptation. It is very much based on Tolkien's published book and will be released in a 4 CD digibook much like the one we are about to release (images of my copy above). Just much smaller. Rings is released on 5 September and we will very quickly be back in production for next years release. I have already typeset the booklet and await the audio while my fellow officers are already working on the packaging for it.

P.S. If you choose the Brazilian audio on that video, you will get Paul and Inés' original audio.

I do so think that both Ronald and Christopher would heartily approve of Paul Corfield Godfrey's life long remarkable project adapting the Legendarium to Music. The sheer scale of it,and it's still unfurling and evolving,simply staggers one. We need time to step back and see what has landed. It is much more than adapting much loved works with skill and passion as it lives,stands and breathes by itself as a thing of beauty in its own right. It is Art of the highest order and never before has such been applied to our beloved writer.

Some of the reviews of Musical Chapters from The Lord of The Rings are coming in for it is daunting and time consuming reviewing something so epic,especially the whole Legendarium,and this particular reviewer has written it large,and done such a good detailed job,with many forceful points, that I have little to add other than echoing it,applauding Paul Corfield Godfrey's monumental achievement for it's quality,immensity and authenticity.

https://musicwebinternational.com/2026 ... om-the-lord-of-the-rings/

Check out this 4 minute youtube video 'Listening Guide - PCG's The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and Appendices':



It really is a glorious time to be a Tolkien enthusiast with so much largesse to absorb,assimilate and enjoy.

Lightning from a clear sky,indeed.

Pre-orders are open for The Hobbit

Release date September 4th 2026



https://www.volanteopera.wales/category/the-hobbit