Adults who have experienced homelessness have written the lyrics for a new opera chorus created by Nottingham’s own Alex Patterson.
Award-winning charity Streewise Opera will host a free public performance on March 2 2017 at the Nottingham Playhouse.
Nottingham composer Alex Patterson created a new opera chorus ahead of the performance with the chorus lyrics produced by a group of adults, many of whom are homeless or have experienced homelessness
The new chorus will be performed at a public ‘Opera Hour’ concert at the Nottingham Playhouse in March next year.
Alex said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of Streetwise Opera’s Composer in Residence programme.
“I’ve been an admirer of the work the organisation has been doing for many years and have been delighted to write a new piece based on the ideas of its performers.”
I’m so looking forward to performing the chorus
And in the summer of 2017 the Nottingham performers will travel to London to sing their chorus at Streetwise Opera’s 15th anniversary celebration alongside more than 150 adults from the charity’s music programmes around the country.
Streetwise Opera performer Wendy Gerrard-Tarpey said: “It was great to be given the opportunity to use our imagination and to create something new.
“I’m so looking forward to performing the chorus.”
The new composition is inspired by Benjamin Britten’s Canticles, producer of Streetwise Opera’s inaugural production in 2002.
Patterson is one of five composers in Residence who are each creating a chorus inspired by Britten’s work with lyrics by the charity’s participants.
The project is part of Streetwise Opera’s national music programme designed to help people who have experienced homelessness and other members of the community to make positive changes in their lives.
Streewise Opera runs two weekly workshop programmes in Nottingham working in partnership with Emanuel House and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall.
Workshops are open to anyone who could benefit from a boost in confidence.
The charity performed an opera at the Nottingham Contemporary in May of last year.
The Silkwood Tree, an opera created by writer Hazel Gould and composer John Barber, also featured Streewise performers from the city.
Video: Lisa Brooks talks about Streetwise Opera in May 2015
