Schools unite to perform local Folk Opera at Lancing College Chapel
This April, 180 local Sussex school children unite with musicians from the Yehudi Menuhin School, Bernardi Music Group String Academy and Lancing College Choir alongside professional Opera soloists for a musical spectacular presented by Sing with Strings and performed at Lancing College Chapel.
Presenting ‘Beware the Mackerel Sky’, a dramatic tale of smugglers and spies, conflict, mystery, heartache and kindness, this one-act folk opera brings to life the rich smuggling heritage of a nearly 19th-century Sussex community in Shoreham and Lancing, weaving real-life characters and events with fiction. Including a musical blend of influences from opera, musical theatre, choral and orchestral music with exciting memorable songs.
The event brings together eight Primary and Prep school choirs, community choirs, opera singers and music professionals in one multigenerational and multi disciplined 400 strong community for three performances only.
Composer and Sing with Strings Project Manager, Christopher Hussey and Artistic Director Andrew Bernardi write; ‘We believe in the transformative power of music, performance and collaboration – at its core, this project is an unmissable opportunity for fun, confidence building, making connections and sharing learning with people from different disciplines. We hope to inspire interest in music and promote study and career pathways in singing and instrument playing.’
Lancing College is honoured to host the community company of musicians and spectators. Head Master, Mr Dominic Oliver says 'We are thrilled to be a part of Sing with String’s incredible musical performance project, bringing together the local community alongside musicians from the Yehudi Menuhin school and professional musicians from across the globe, in collaboration with the Bernardi Music Group. As participants and hosts, it is our honour to open Lancing’s Chapel for the benefit of the community and to celebrate the diversity of musical talent in what is our 175th celebration year.'
Dates of performance:
Saturday 27 April 2024
18:00 Performance 1 – Saturday Evening (doors open 17:45)
Sunday 28 April 2024
15:30 Performance 2 – Sunday Matinee (doors open 15:15)
18:00 Performance 3 – Sunday Evening (doors open 17:45)
Performance lasts approximately 75 minutes (no interval)
The Team:
Artistic Director - Andrew Bernardi
Composer and Project Manager - Christopher Hussey
Book/Stage Director - Theresa Gooda (based on an original book by Charlie Olsen)
Lyrics - Charlie Olsen
Conductor - Steve Dummer
Chorus Directors - Emily Barden, Aedan Kerney MBE and Alex Mason
Opera Singers - Daisy Bevan, Juliet Schiemann, Anando Mukerjee and Benjamin Bevan
Full list of performing groups:
- Yehudi Menuhin School
- Bernardi Music Group String Academy
- Lancing College Choir
- College Singers
- The Boundstone Chorus
- Worthing Choral Society
School Choirs:
- Farlington School
- Lancing College Prep Hove
- Lancing College Prep Worthing
- Prebendal School
- St Robert Woodard Academy
- Sompting Village Primary School
- Southwater Junior Academy
- The Weald School
Thank you to Focus Foundation, Tooveys, Nyetimber, NFU Mutual Chichester and Horsham and Kreston Reeves for all their support and sponsorship.
Tickets:
Tickets available from from 17th January 2024 on a first come, first served basis. Adults (aged 19+) @ £12.50, Children (aged 5 – 19) @ £5, Children under5 are free. No refunds will be offered for tickets purchased.
February 2024