Guardian Music — From Björk to Damon Albarn via Factory Records and Sarajevo, the Manchester international festival kicked off with an arts bonanza. Here's what you thought ...The Guardian's team spent a long weekend at the cliche-defyingly sunny Manchester internat... more info

Guardian Music — What's hot and what's not at this year's Manchester international festival?Going upLive ravensThe real star of Damon Albarn's folk opera. Quoth the Raven, give us more.The musical Tesla coilLooks so cool you don't even care that it sounds like a robo... more info

Guardian Music — Dr Dee is quite a puzzle. But some audience members have a crack at decoding itAmong the highlights of Damon Albarn's spectacular opera Dr Dee are an enormous live raven, a stilt-walking spymaster and a couple having sex under a hovering Queen Eliza... more info

Guardian Music — Today we unveil a special sound sculpture bringing the Guardian vividly to life. Plus, it's five stars for PunchdrunkIt's my last day at the Manchester international festival before returning to London, but we'll continue to bring you coverage from A... more info

Guardian Music — The former Blur frontman is in Oasis's hometown to perform Dr Dee, his opera about a 16th-century alchemist. Watch out for the live ravenAt the end of Damon Albarn's Dr Dee – an "English opera" about the Elizabethan mathematician and alchemist Joh... more info

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