OPERA IN A DAY • DEBUT’S HORIZON ORCHESTRA • PRO SINGERS • COMMUNITY SINGERS • BISHOPSGATE INSTITUTE’S GREAT HALL

Whether you want to sing, watch or play, join DEBUT at Bishopsgate Institute’s impressive Great Hall for a fun and friendly day exploring music from some of the world’s greatest operas.

After a day of rehearsals we’ll bring everyone together in Bishopsgate Institute’s Great Hall: uniting the community chorus with DEBUT’s Horizon Orchestra and professional soloists for a grand finale before toasting our successes with a well earned drink available from our pop up bar.

This month our Opera in a Day is Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Bursting with youthful energy, mistaken identities and revolution. Over the course of one crazy day in the Almaviva household we see servants become masters and page-boys become bridesmaids; brought to life with the enduring genius of Mozart’s music. Who will Figaro marry in the end? Come and sing, watch or play to find out!

There are three ticket types to choose from and get involved on the day:

• Sing

  Chorus Singing Workshop
  12:30 - 17:00 — For singers

  £40 pay-it-forward ticket*, which pays for someone who couldn’t otherwise attend

  £30 standard
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  Throw yourself into DEBUT’s Chorus Singing Workshop, open to all, regardless of experience. We’ll start the workshop with an introduction to the opera and the opportunity to meet your fellow singers. After a warm up, DEBUT’s dynamic and friendly team will lead you through learning 3 opera choruses (no preparation needed before the day).

  Following a tea break (with biscuits!) we’ll delve deeper into our chosen opera: polishing the music, bringing selected parts of it to life, and sharing behind-the-scenes insights.

  Then we’ll have the chance to perform with DEBUT’s Horizon Orchestra and professional soloists for a grand finale in the Great Hall before celebratory post-workshop drinks.
  —

  *Pay-it-forward tickets

  With the rising cost of living impacting everything from energy and heating costs to the price of food we recognise our events may be out of reach for many people. We want to ensure that all members of our community are able to access our events and performances. For this reason, we are introducing a pay-it-forward ticket system. By purchasing a pay-it-forward ticket, you help us make free tickets available to members of our community who would otherwise be restricted from attending due to financial reasons.

  For this event, there is a limited number of supported tickets available free of charge for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend to enjoy the show. These are issued on a first come first served basis.

  If you are experiencing financial challenges and would like a ticket to this event please select a Supported ticket at point of purchasing.

• Watch

  Rehearsal Spectators

  11:00 - 17:00 — For the curious

  £10 standard

  —

  Have you ever wondered what goes on before opening night? Gain a behind the scenes insight into an opera rehearsal. Grab your front row seat and prepare to be amazed as DEBUT’s Horizon Orchestra and pro-singers play through an opera in a day.

  Chat to the musicians during the breaks and pop in to watch our Chorus Singing Workshop.

  Feel free to stay for the whole day or drop in for a few hours.

• Play

  10:00 - 17:00 — For instrumentalists

  Are you an experienced amateur, conservatoire student or professional musician? Register your interest to join DEBUT’s Horizon Orchestra to play through our opera in a day. Visit DEBUT’s website for more details.

Conductor Benjamin Hamilton
Workshop Leader Lizzie Holmes
Chorus Leader Charlotte Galloway
Repetiteur Erika Gundesen

Cast

Isabelle Peters Susanna
Natasha Page Susanna alternate
Mica Smith Figaro
Anna Goodhew Countess
Hazel Neighbour Countess alternate
Thomas Isherwood Count
René Bloice-Sanders Count alternate
Meriel Cunningham Cherubino
Olivia Bell Marcelina
Jamie Formoy Basillio and Curzio
Hector Bloggs Antonio
Xiaotong Duan Barbarina

Horizon Orchestra

Chang-Yu Hsu
Grace Callaghan
Laura Ware-Heine
Sophie Catherall
Guillermo Ramasasa
Hannah Shilvock
Louise Hayden
Alex Hocknull
Euan Holwill
Samy Okuma-Chin
Jordan Earnshaw
Lishan Low
Allison Kerr
Ben Knowles
Lauren Salter
Carolina Lopez Del-Nero
Lucy Neil
Helen Butcher

“A great introduction to some of the best talent”

— Opera Now