Rough for opera is a platform for new opera. Original, reconditioned or recently excavated; anything goes in a night of musical test drives, experiments and reboots from some of the most innovative opera creators in the UK.
Presented by Second Movement rough for opera is an opportunity for young and emerging opera creators to road test and showcase new ideas and evolving work. Appearing at the launch night on the 23rd are three young companies presenting original work in development.
Director Max Hoehn and composer Charlotte Bray with soprano Rhona McKail and pianist Yshani Perinpanayagan present Midnight Closes a dramatic setting and staging of a series of Thomas Hardy poems.
Kate Whitley’s Unknown Position, a 20 minute chamber opera with libretto by Emma Hogan explores the little known phenomena of object-sexuality.
The final work on the 23rd is Opera Viscera’s retelling of Ovid’s Narcissus and Echo, a work which brings together four composers and a revolving cast of seven and was created in collaboration with a community arts project.
Rough for opera is a new model for opera performance. This isn’t the finished article: both the audience and an invited informal panel of more experienced opera makers are encouraged to respond to the performances and provide feedback. Critic Paul Guest will be running a live blog on the night and new media company Tall Wall will be filming the event.
Rough for opera is presented and curated by Second Movement.
If you would like any further information about rough for opera or to submit an application to perform at a future event please contact Abigail Toland at: abigail
secondmovement [dot] org [dot] uk or on 07767 894 388
