Over the years, Opera Brava has enjoyed working with over 300 schools and more than 25,000 children. Their objective has always been to educate children about opera presenting it in all its exciting art forms and encouraging children that anyone can take part.
Opera workshops in Primary Schools
Through the schools' program the children work with a range of professional individuals to develop their knowledge and enjoyment of music and at the end of the week they perform in a fully staged opera.
Opera Brava started working in schools in 1998 creating their own workshops and bringing in composers to work alongside them. Their first piece was the "Space Dragon of Galatar" by John Painter. Then came the premiere of two modern and challenging mini operas, "The Prodigal Son" and "The Selfish Giant" by Matthew King, now an internationally renowned composer.
A large scale work was then commissioned called "The Promise" this was written by Jill Townsend based on Luke‘s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. The Promise premiered at the Queen Elizabeth Hall London in 1997. It involved 200 or more children, 10 opera singers an actor and a 22 piece orchestra. This Opera was repeated twice more giving hundreds of children from many varying backgrounds the opportunity to perform.
Opera Brava then decided to work with the wonderful "Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis. First came "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" composed by Ann Beresford. Then later Opera Brava commissioned an enthusiastic young composer, Jenny Gould, to write a second opera based on CS Lewis’s book, "Prince Caspian".
These operas have been very successful over many years and the children have loved working with opera singers, designers a composer and a director. They also spend time during the workshops designing and creating masks and props their hard work culminates in putting on a fully staged opera for their parents peers and teachers at the end of the week.
The Selfish Giant
Judy Slater in "The Promise"
Prince Caspian
The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe
A prowl of leopards in a School
A School's Opera workshop
Reviews from Teachers & Parents
"Well what can I say the children are buzzing and to quote 'that was the most amazing thing ever!'"
"Thank you once again for bringing such a special experience to our children. Every child in this country should have this opportunity! What I love most is that opera is cool in our school! How cool is that!" Headteacher Heron Way primary school.
"Last year my daughter was lucky enough to be part of your Lion the witch and the wardrobe production at Brinkley Grove primary. As one of the audience that afternoon, I was not alone in thinking it was one of the best school productions I have ever seen."
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Reviews from Students
"I loved opera brava because we learnt all different warm-ups. Also I love that it gave people a lot of confidence to stand up in front of a crowd."
"Opera brava was the best week of my life. I met lots of nice people so thank you."
"Opera Brava was a lifetime opportunity. It was funny, joyful and EPIC!, especially dressing up. We could not do it without you."
"It was a great experience. It was all very tearful when it finished but I can never forget this wonderful experience."
"My favourite part of Opera Brava was making the mask because I loved the papier mache, but the best bit was the show it was really fun. Last but not least I love meeting all the people that helped us."
"I have learnt that you can have fun and you don’t have to be a big part."
"I found the singing was quite hard because my breath kept running out!
"I really liked Opera Brava because I’ve got to learn new stuff about music."
"I was having a great time on the stage singing and acting. I wish it never ended."
We would be delighted to work with your school
To learn more about how we could work in your local school, please contact Bronek Pomorski on 01444 443060 or admin@operabrava.com.
