THIS autumn, the UK welcomes one of the world’s most celebrated living composers, Philip Glass, to a month-long celebration of his epoch-defining music.

Now in his eighth decade, Glass continues to be one of the world’s greatest composers.

The month-long celebration around the UK of music from throughout his career offers audiences across the country a chance to explore the world of Glass.

There are three related events taking place at The Anvil during November.

On Tuesday, November 4, Music Theatre Wales presents The Trial. This brand new chamber opera is adapted by Christopher Hampton and based on the novel by Franz Kafka.

Kafka’s nightmarish tale of a man arrested and prosecuted for an unknown crime by a relentless and inaccessible authority has lost none of its chilling potency down the years. Philip Glass brings his signature music and dramatic force to this literary classic. The new opera faithfully follows Kafka’s story, relishing the author’s notorious paranoia and bizarre sense of humour.

On Wednesday, November 12, the composer himself joins the Philip Glass Ensemble when it comes to The Anvil with its Retrospective programme – a kind of partial ‘Greatest Hits’ that revisits some of Philip Glass’ most important and popular works.

They include: the Cologne Section from CIVIL warS (1984), created for an unrealised Robert Wilson project for the Los Angeles Olympic Games; excerpts from the seminal Music In 12 Parts, which resonate alongside key works from the 1980s, and music written for Godfrey Reggio’s cult film Koyaanisqatsi.

Music in Similar Motion, dizzying and determined, takes the story back to 1969.

With the ensemble fresh from performing around the world in the revival of the opera Einstein on the Beach, this is a fabulous, unrepeatable opportunity to see one of the true masters of contemporary music.

Finally, on Friday, November 21, Anvil Arts’ Associate Artists The Brodowski Quartet, perform Glass’ String Quartet no 5 along, arguably his best, with pieces by Haydn and Dvořak when they appear at The Forge. For more information or for tickets, call the box office on 01256 844244 or use the website anvilarts.org.uk.

Anvil Arts is managed by The Anvil Trust, an independent educational charity.