A NEW opera comes to Middlesbrough Town Hall next month as part of a unique double bill.
The River Keeper by Bridie Jackson and Nell Leyshon is the first of three 30-minute operas in the Streetwise Opera’s Little Opera season.
The inspiring and uplifting piece will be staged on Tuesday, December 16, following a first half performance by Bridie Jackson and The Arbour.
The River Keeper has lived on the bank of the river for 100 years, cast out by the townspeople and longing to be freed from her lonely life.
The poignant and darkly humorous tale is created from stories told by the Streetwise performers to writer Nell Leyshon (author of The Colour of Milk and other novels), director Annie Rigby (of Unfolding Theatre) and composer Bridie Jackson.
Bridie’s atmospheric music weaves through a timeless story inspired by real life stories of hope, while her fabulous folk band will play the first half of the evening, setting the scene for The River Keeper
Streetwise Opera is an award-winning charity that uses music to help homeless people make positive changes in their lives.
They hold weekly music programmes in homeless centres and community venues across England and Wales and stage critically-acclaimed opera productions starring homeless performers alongside professionals.
Bridie Jackson and The Arbour are a Newcastle quartet of folk-influenced musicians who combine rich vocal harmonies with subtle string arrangements, led by Bridie’s remarkable voice and evocative wordplay.
For more information, visit www.streetwiseopera.org and
- The River Keeper and Bridie Jackson and The Arbour are on at Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt on Tuesday, December 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 (£7 concessions).
To book or for further information, call Middlesbrough Town Hall Box Office on 01642 729 729 or book online at www.middlesbroughtownhallonline.co.uk