2019 Learning & Participation Programme - Garsington Opera

LEARNING & PARTICIPATION PROGRAMME 2018 - 2019

WHY WE DO IT Through our innovative outreach programme for all ages we aim to: •

Provide access to high quality performance and participation for people of all ages who face significant barriers to engagement with the arts.

•

Promote music as a tool for improving self-confidence, learning and communication for all who are involved.

“What is going on at Garsington is the absolute ideal of how an opera company should be working with its local community. The highest musical standards coupled with fun, joy and real long-term commitment.”

John Barber, Composer

“I loved that we were able to go and see the opera after making it our own.”

Secondary pupil, Cressex School

Please visit: www.garsingtonopera.org/learning

OPERA FIRST Each year we invite pupils to experience their first full-scale opera performance at Wormsley. It is presented by our understudy cast of Alvarez Young Artists who have the opportunity to perform the whole opera on stage with orchestra. Ahead of their visit, all the students attending, from 11 local schools, are involved in participatory workshops. It is a transformative experience for a new generation.

In 2019 the project will focus on Offenbach’s Fantasio.

The Big Sing This summer students from seven local primary schools took part in our biggest project to date, discovering Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and singing together on stage at Wormsley, as part of a countrywide choral fiesta.

“Thank you so much for giving our children such a wonderful life-changing experience. The Garsington Factor emanates from your incredible team.”

Primary Teacher, Ibstone CE School Above: The Misbourne Secondary School Left: Primary pupils in the Big Sing

“I made new friends and found a passion and skill I didn’t realise I had until now. It has rekindled my love of performing.”

Adult Company member

GARSINGTON COMMUNITY OPERA COMPANIES Our three community opera companies provide valuable opportunities for people of all ages to deepen their engagement with the arts, create friendships and build self-esteem.

Youth Opera Companies In 2018, with the support of the Helen Hamlyn Trust, we expanded our provision for young people, launching a second Youth Opera Company (ages 9-13) to join our existing youth group (ages 13-21). Following their outstanding performance at Wormsley in 2018, next year they will perform The Happy Princess, a new commission composed by Paul Fincham to a libretto by Jessica Duchen (Silver Birch, 2017).

Adult Company This summer our Adult Company performed their own piece in response to Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, alongside a choir of residents from sheltered accommodation in North London. They also took part in an innovative project at the V&A (full details overleaf).

“When the audience clapped at the end, it felt like we had just done something totally amazing.”

Youth Company member

PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING Our work with hospitals and local charities engages with people at a profound level, enabling them to gain confidence and use music to communicate during difficult times: Hospital Passion Play In partnership with the V&A and Rosetta Life, this new opera by Orlando Gough was performed to a sold-out theatre and live-streamed on Facebook. Garsington Opera’s Adult Company joined forces with the Stroke Survivors Choir and Shout at Cancer Choir (who have had laryngectomies), together with patients from the National Spinal Injuries Centre in a new piece inspired by personal experiences and trauma.

Wycombe Women’s Aid For the last four years we have supported victims of domestic violence, exploring opera’s themes and creating a new work in response. Participants are encouraged to discover the music and characters, producing their own words, music and movement in an informal performance at the end of the project.

“Music, once more, has shown its power to unite.”

Dr Moors, Shout at Cancer Choir Above and right: Hospital Passion Play

THE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE Our strategy to enable a wider audience to view some of our productions free of charge, has led to us filming one or two productions each year for the last five years resulting in a total of 110,000 viewings across the world. We have ambitious plans to develop this aspect of our outreach programme.

OperaVision: In 2017 our films of Le nozze di Figaro and Semele were available to view worldwide for six months on OperaVision’s YouTube platform, as well as on BBC Arts online, reaching 37,000 viewers. Our 2018 production of Die ZauberflÜte is now available for free until March 2019.

AppRa: Generously supported by The Rothschild Foundation, AppRa (an app for opera) is a ground-breaking digital partnership between Garsington Opera and the BBC, developing innovative learning materials for those discovering opera and classical music for the first time.

Dare to Dream: This is an inspirational project linking primary school students in Buckinghamshire with children in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to create a new opera. The world premiere performance by 800 children (including video from Bangladesh) will be at the Royal Albert Hall on 18 March 2019.

TAKE THE OPERA CHALLENGE AND GET INVOLVED Our Learning & Participation team continues to develop an impressive programme of activity, sharing infectious enthusiasm and a love of opera with those who face barriers to cultural engagement.

We demonstrate that opera can be enjoyed by everyone and would be delighted to welcome your support or involvement: •

Make a charitable donation to help us to create and develop this work in 2019.

•

Join Garsington’s Adult or Youth Opera Companies and take part in performances on the Wormsley stage.

01865 361636 | office@garsingtonopera.org | garsingtonopera.org/learning Charitable Registration No. 1003042