Damon Albarn 'Doctor Dee' opera about "being English"

Damon Albarn has said that his new opera project Doctor Dee gave him an opportunity to explore his English heritage.

The Blur singer launches his self-penned Elizabethan opera in Manchester next month, based on the real life of astronomer and occultist John Dee.

"This is all a personal thing, my relationship with these aspects of being English," Albarn explained to The Guardian. "But this story had so many catalysts, it didn't seem like it would be too mad an idea to start thinking in music terms.

"I do harbour this feeling about my country, and it doesn't come out that often because I'm off doing other things. Which is great, because that way it gets stronger, and it's nice to wait till it really needs to come out."

Albarn, who also penned the stage production Monkey: Journey to the West in 2007, will make a guest appearance in the opera.

"This is more than something I'm doing for a festival," the singer insisted. "It's been brewing for ages, trying to find its essence.

"I'm not a monarchist, but I'm English. And I have an irrational emotion for my country."

Doctor Dee will make its world premiere at the Manchester International Festival on July 1.

Watch Damon Albarn performing the track 'Apple Carts' from Doctor Dee on The Andrew Marr Show below: