A FESTIVAL will mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings with a new opera by an internationally acclaimed composer.

Working in partnership with the world renowned Glyndebourne and the De La Warr Pavilion, there will be a

world premiere performance by composer Howard Moody as one of the lead events of the Root 1066 international festival next October.

Festival Director Polly Gifford said: "The festival aims to offer new perspectives on the ideas and themes underlying the history of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings. This opera is one of the most exciting projects in the festival line-up, bringing

together a world class company like Glyndebourne with local communities to create new work with a contemporary theme. We are delighted to support the project and to work with Battle Festival to make sure it’s a fitting end to the festival.”

With a working title of When Cultures Collide the opera will take inspiration from the historic events that took place in Battle in 1066.

The world premiere of When Cultures Collide will take place at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Saturday, October 1. It will be followed by a semi-staged version in Battle on Saturday, October 8, during the month long Battle Festival.

Howard Moody will visit groups and schools to discuss what it means to be part of a contemporary 1066 Country community. He will then work alongside a creative team commissioned by Glyndebourne, including director Simon Iorio who has worked at Glyndebourne since 2012, most recently as staff director on two productions at the 2015 Glyndebourne Festival.

Howard said "Cultures are colliding in so many positive and negative ways and we all find ourselves

surrounded by so much that mirrors the build up to the events of 1066. There is no shortage of inspiration to

create something new and contemporary."

Root1066 International Festival has been commissioned by Hastings Borough County to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. It will comprise of spectacular indoor and outdoor events across 1066 Country in East Sussex.

Up to 400 performers drawn from the local community will be involved with children from 1066 country's schools, and it will feature soloists from Glyndebourne itself.

Leading the project for Battle Festival is Sally Lampitt, who says the opera will not be performed in a

traditional setting and will be created in partnership with residents.

She said "We will use contemporary opera as a means for the people of 1066 Country to both examine their identities, cultural differences and similarities and to collectively create a new anthem that represents the culturally rich community we live in.

"The outcome will be our combined legacy to future generations in Battle and 1066 Country."