The Telegraph — Damon Albarn's new opera, Dr Dee, is fresh, original and heartfelt. Rating: * * * * more info

Guardian Music — Yesterday saw more debuts from the Manchester international festival, including Punchdrunk's Doctor Who show and an opera by Damon AlbarnThe Manchester international festival is hitting its stride now, with a tranche of new work unveiled yesterday. P... more info

Guardian Music — Palace Theatre, ManchesterDamon Albarn discusses the making of the opera It is perhaps as much a disservice to call the 16th century alchemist and astrologer John Dee a Renaissance man as it is to refer to Damon Albarn as the former frontman of Blur... more info

Guardian Music — Damon Albarn discusses his new opera about Doctor Dee, the Elizabethan astrologer, courtier, alchemist and spy, ahead of its premiere at the Manchester international festivalShehani Fernando more info

Guardian Music — The Guardian is at the Manchester international festival, kicked off by Björk last night. Did you see her? Are you going? Please send us your pictures, tweets and commentsLast night, the third Manchester international festival started in spectacular... more info

Stereogum — You heard “Apple Carts” from Damon Albarn’s forthcoming opera Dr. Dee (“Dee,” not “Dre”). Another sample’s been unveiled, this one called “The Reigning Queen.” Listen at Consequence Of Sound. The opera, starring Albarn, runs from ... more info

ContactMusic — Damon Albarn doesn't think Sting appreciates his music. The former Blur frontman has written the new opera 'Doctor Dee', a re-enactment of the life of 16th century scientist John Dee, and while Damon will perform 10 solo songs in the show - which ope... more info

NME — Gorillaz man reveals further details of the show ahead of its Manchester debut this Friday more info

The Telegraph — Following the success of his opera, Monkey, Albarn talks about his latest musical-theatre venture. more info

The Vinyl Villain — The song that brought the early progress to a grinding halt.Blur had enjoyed critical success with debut She's So High and then both critical and commercial success with There's No Other Way which reached #8 in the early summer of 1991.  But within ... more info