As the City prepares to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I, Opera North is looking for men from across the community to take part in a new arts project based on the conflict and its aftermath.
The Silent Night Creatives project’s inspiration comes from the opera Silent Night, based on World War I, the UK premiere of which opens at Leeds Town Hall in November. This forms part of Armistice 100.
Many people will have been told about the 1914 truce, when peace magically reigned over the French, German and Scottish troops in the trenches at Christmas. Building on this remembrance of the soldiers at the front, Silent Night Creatives offers all men and boys aged over 14 the chance to discuss and respond imaginatively to the First World War through music and drama. They will work with a vocal leader and a director in a relaxed setting to create stories based on wartime lyrics and words, with their work together culminating in a short performance at the Town Hall prior to each showing of the opera.
Alongside the principal singers, the production features a 100-strong choir of male voices including members of the Chorus of Opera North, young people from Opera North Youth Chorus and students from the Royal Northern College of Music.
Jacqui Cameron, Education Director at Opera North, said:
“This music and drama project has been created specifically with men and boys in mind, as they are currently underrepresented within our creative arts participation programme.
As the First and Second World Wars pass from living memory, we are looking for participants from different generations to explore their legacy together and to discover whether our views of the major conflicts of the 20th century are changing over time. People are very welcome to come on their own or to bring a lad, dad, grandad or friend.”
The workshops are free and begin on Saturday 3 November at 2.30 p.m. until 5 p.m. The remaining workshops take place on 10, 17 and 24 November. You don’t have to have any experience in either music or drama and you won’t have to audition. Just register your interest before 22 October.
https://www.operanorth.co.uk/silent-night-creatives-sign-up/
The Silent Night Creatives project is one of several being organised by Opera North for this very special centenary. Not Such Quiet Girls, a co-production with Leeds Playhouse, is a revelation, telling us about women who volunteered for the front line. There is also Songs of Love and Battle, exploring the emotions of war through Maggie Gottlieb’s poetry; and War Horse: The Story in Concert.
Tickets for all events are available from operanorth.co.uk
Forthcoming Performances for 2018
Silent Night
Friday 30 November 7.00pm Leeds Town Hall
Sunday 2 December 4.00pm Leeds Town Hall
Thursday 6 December 7.00pm Leeds Town Hall
Friday 7 December 7.00pm Leeds Town Hall
Not Such Quiet Girls
Thursday 29 November 7.45pm Howard Assembly Room
Friday 30 November 7.45pm Howard Assembly Room
Saturday 1 December 2.45pm Howard Assembly Room
Saturday 1 December 7.45pm Howard Assembly Room
The Songs of War: Songs of Love and Battle (Todd)/ Symphony of Sorrowful Songs (Górecki)
Thursday 22 November 7.30pm Huddersfield Town Hall
Saturday 1 December 7.30pm Leeds Town Hall
War Horse: The Story in Concert
Sunday 25 November 4.00pm Leeds Town Hall
