Members of the Armed Forces Community are invited to take part in Garsington Opera’s new production of Silver Birch, a People’s Opera with over 150 local community participants of all ages working alongside professional singers and instrumentalists…
Performances are on Garsington Opera’s main stage at the Wormsley Estate, Buckinghamshire from 28th-30th July 2017.
The Armed Forces Community are being invited to get involved in the project as singers, actors and helpers, front and backstage. No previous experience is required. The project is open to all from the Armed Forces Community: currently serving personnel, wounded, injured and sick Service personnel, veterans, Reservists, those transitioning from military to civilian life and Service family members (aged 16+). Rehearsals begin in April, and all workshops will be run by professionals from Garsington Opera.
The themes of Silver Birch are inspired by the poetry of the war poet Siegfried Sassoon (a regular visitor to Garsington Manor during the First World War) combined with contemporary experiences of soldiers and their families experiencing war today. Silver Birch is a production for all the family (aged 8+) about courage, aspiration and aiming high.
“We are thrilled to have members of the Armed Forces Community involved with Silver Birch. Given the subject matter of the opera, we felt it important to have the military community’s voice heard. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a one-off production, meet new people and perform alongside a professional orchestra and singers.” Karen Gillingham, Creative Director, Learning & Participation.
A workshop audition on will be held on Tuesday 21 March 7 – 9.30 pm This will be an opportunity for those interested to meet the team behind the production and informally audition for the various roles in singing, acting as well as backstage and front of house.
Garsington Opera’s Learning & Participation team are midway through their recruitment workshops for local people to join the company for next summer’s People’s Opera, Silver Birch. There are now over 100 enthusiastic adults, young people and children from local primary schools in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, signed up. The final company will include over 150 local people working alongside a team of professional singers and instrumentalists.
Recruitment began in late January and those interested are encouraged to contact Gemma Holsgrove via gemmah@garsingtonopera.org or 07796 244 335.