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Streetwise Opera Set to Raise the Roof at the Town Hall

By Published February 28, 2019

A UNIQUE singing group will raise the roof at Middlesbrough Town Hall this week.

Streetwise Opera is a performing arts charity for people who are or have been homeless.

Supported by live musicians, they’ll be performing scenes from world-famous operas by Puccini, Verdi, Gilbert and Sullivan, and others at the popular venue on Friday, March 1.

The award-winning project runs programmes across the country from London to Manchester and Nottingham to Teesside with audiences treated to performances packed with passion, spirit and fun.

The Opera Hour series focuses on the raw and authentic passion and epic emotions of everyday life – and those attending are simply invited to ‘pay what they feel’.

Streetwise Opera Creative Director of Workshops Mark Oldfield said: “With these inspiring performances we want to show people that opera can be for everyone.

 

“You don’t have to speak Italian; you don’t need to know all the back story, and you certainly don’t need to read music to feel the passion in Nessun dorma or other opera arias.”

The pieces are created with participants in Streetwise Opera’s weekly workshops at Methodist Asylum Project and Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA), and include After the Storm by composer in residence Hayley Jenkins.

Streetwise Opera Co-Executive Director Bridget Rennie added: “During the Opera Hour we will premiere an opera chorus created by our Teesside composer in residence Hayley Jenkins, working with the participants in our workshops at Methodist Asylum Project in partnership with Depaul, and MIMA.

“This piece captures the joy, pride and courage of our performers and their communities, and is a testament to the creativity and passion of people who are or have been homeless.

“Everyone deserves to have their voice heard, including those who have faced life’s most difficult challenges.”

Streetwise Opera works in partnership with Middlesbrough Asylum Project, a charity offering practical support and social opportunities to those seeking asylum in Middlesbrough.

Depaul UK works in communities where poverty and long-term unemployment have resulted in generations of social exclusion and homelessness. Its Positive Pathways out of homelessness project provides practical support and helps vulnerable people build their emotional resilience.

 

Streetwise Opera

Middlesbrough Town Hall

Friday, March 1, 7pm

Pay what you feel…

For tickets and further information, call the Box Office on 01642 729 729 or visitwww.middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk

Read 1243 times Last modified on Thursday, 28 February 2019 11:45
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