Refugees and evacuees will be under the spotlight at Glyndebourne in a powerful new Youth Opera production opening next month at the world famous Sussex opera house.
The production, created by composer-in-residence Lewis Murphy to explore emotive themes around separation and reunion, focuses on young people divided and drawn together in the context of war.
With a cast of 60 young performers and three professional opera singers, the opera tracks two groups of young people, one struggling through evacuation in the midst of World War II and the other an ambiguous group of 21st century refugees desperate to find safety.
"Belongings encourages an empathy in young people for those similar to them in age but sharply removed in their drastically different background and situation,” explained Moana Muller, one of the young cast.
“By dramatising the traumas of refugees in the modern world, the opera offers a more real version of something only seen in the news,” said Moana.
The project itself has developed out of collaboration with genuine refugee communities in Italy, who shared their experiences with the creative team, detailing their own stories of escape from various countries including Nigeria and Sudan. It promises to be a thought-provoking and eye-opening performance.
Participation in Glyndebourne Youth Opera is open to audition by any talented young performers who live within 25 miles of the opera house.
Belongings will be performed on 10 and 11 November. Tickets are available from the Glyndebourne website, and by calling 01273 815000.
Louisa Dollimore, Heathfield Sixth Form
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