Main photo © John Snelling/Garsington Opera
Opéra national de Paris
Bastien et Bastienne: A Brand-New Production for Young Audiences
The Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris (France) will present their new young audiences production Bastien et Bastienne (Mozart) from 9-22 May 2017. In this short singspiel, composed when Mozart was just 12 years old and directed by Mirabelle Ordinaire, the action is transposed into a contemporary funfair where onlookers shoot at cardboard wolves, a wayward Bastien takes mechanics into his own hands and twelve musicians light up the bandstand. Presented in a new French version, the opera is accessible for all audiences. More info here.
Opéra-Théâtre
West Side Story Crowdfunding Campaign: Nearly There!
Just under two weeks left to support the crowdfunding campaign organised by Compagnie Opéra-Théâtre (Switzerland)! A new production of the famous Broadway musical West Side Story will involve 150 teenagers and professional performers (27 – 30 April at Pavillon Sicli in Geneva).
Collected funds will enable the production to be staged in the best possible conditions. You can contribute via the crowdfunding platform wemakeit athttps://wemakeit.com/projects/west-side-story (in French).
Orchestre national d’Île de France
Composition and Instrument-Building Workshop
Last year the education departments of the Conservatoire du XXe, the Lycée EREA Edith Piaf, the Orchestre national d’Île de France and the Lutherie urbaine came together to create experimental instruments throughout a series of workshops. Pupils undertaking vocational training in boiler-making and carpentry came up with original instruments, which were then played by students of the Conservatoire in a specially commissioned work by Alexandre Lévy. Watch the fascinating video of the experience here. Photo © Lutherie urbaine
Le Petit Barbier – “You need to do this weird thing with your throat”
As part of their “Chantons avec…” programme, Le Petit Barbier, a new production of The Barber of Seville by the Orchestre national d’Île de France will involve young amateur singers, musicians in training and professional musicians of the Orchestre. Watch the video of the creation process here.
Ópera de Tenerife
Upcoming Auditions for Opera Estudio
Ópera de Tenerife is proud to present the fifth edition of Opera(e) Studio, an academy for all-round training aiming to support and promote young singers, thereby enhancing their chances for employment in their chosen profession. Led by Giulio Zappa, a large team of professionals will train the chosen candidates in operatic performance. Opera (e)Studio will conclude with the performance I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Bellini). Registration is open until 12 pm on 25 April. More information here.
Opéra Comique
Reopening Soon
After 18 months of restoration work, the Opéra Comique (France) will reopen on 26 April with Alcione by Marin Marais.
A general renovation project was undertaken in order to improve comfort during performances of the Salle Favart, taking place alongside a comprehensive restoration programme that called for the involvement of sixteen different trades. The decor, including paintings, sculptures, stucco elements, cardboard-stone, marbles, mosaics and gilding, was restored, as were the wall coverings, seats, floors, doors, chandeliers and wall fittings as well as the light crown. The renovation work also improved accessibility for persons of reduced mobility and increased the general security of the building.
Operasonic
Bringing the Myths and Legends of Newport to the Stage
Operasonic (UK) is currently working on Newport Legends, an opera-writing project with three after school groups and one community, all based in Newport, South Wales. The groups are creating mini-operas exploring the myths, legends and people of Newport alongside a team of composers and directors. The groups will be coming together in their local venue, The Riverfront Theatre, on Sunday 2nd July for one epic afternoon of opera.
Find out more about the project at www.operasonic.co.uk/newport-legends and read their latest blog post at http://www.operasonic.co.uk/newport-legends-pledgers-creators/
Garsington Opera
Silver Birch: a People’s Opera
Garsington Opera’s Learning and Participation programme has commissioned a new opera – a large- scale work involving over 180 participants aged 8 to 85 from the local community performing alongside top professional singers and orchestral players – a People’s Opera. Silver Birch will be performed as part of the Garsington Opera season and will have three performances 28, 29, 30 July. The story explores the power of family ties in the devastating context of war. Silver Birch is composed by Roxanna Panufnik with Jessica Duchen as librettist. It is directed by Karen Gillingham. The 180 community participants, which includes veterans from the local military community, student Foley artists from Cressex Community School under the guidance of Pinewood Studios, will perform as dancers, singers, actors and instrumentalists. The artistic director of Garsington Opera, Douglas Boyd will conduct.
For tickets and more information visit www.garsingtonopera.org
Den Jyske Opera
Save the Date! First edition of the GrowOP! Festival 2017
GrowOP! at Den Jyske Opera and Operaen I Midten are busy planning GrowOP! Festival 2017, taking place on November 14-26th. The festival programme is currently being finalised and will include performances from no less than five current and former RESEO members: Holland Opera, Spitalfields Music, Cie Minute Papillon, Den Jyske Opera and Operaen I Midten. In addition to the performance program, there will be workshops, artists meetings and schools projects, with an international youth project also in the pipeline.
GrowOP! would be delighted to welcome RESEO members. For more information about the festival go to http://growopfestival.com/.