Watch: Damon Albarn plays song from his new opera

Blur and Gorillaz majordomo Damon Albarn has showcased a song from Dr Dee, the opera he’ll premiere at next month’s Manchester International Festival (MIT).

Albarn played the song on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show earlier today. Dr Dee is about the titular Sixteenth Century alchemist, astrologer and spy who served as Queen Elizabeth I’s medical and scientific adviser.

After its premiere at the MIT, the opera moves to the English National Opera in London as part of the Cultural Olympiad programme.

You can watch the song over on the BBC’s iPlayer. Albarn pops up at about 57 minutes in.