OperaFirst: The Creation

"The children were completely blown away by the amazing performance yesterday and I think you have a few converts - they couldn't stop talking about it this morning."

In June and July, 2016, our creative team of Karen Gillingham (Director), Suzi Zumpe (Music Director), Jonathan Williams (repetiteur), Peter Willcock (baritone) and Rob Gildon (baritone) delivered workshops for 176 primrary school children, including those with special educational needs. 

Using the musical and dramatic themes in Haydn's The Creation and Richard Taylor's Creation, pupils debated issues around different creation stories, before learning different arias and choral pieces and putting together a large-scale acting, music and dance performance alongside Garsington Opera professionals. 

The final performance took place at Cressex School and all participants were invited to watch the Stage and Orchestra rehearsal of Haydn's The Creation at Wormsley. For many children this was their first visit to the opera. 

Despite their young age, the children loved the experience and sat quite mesmerised during the performance. Their little faces positively lit up! It was wonderful to see! The whole project has been a fantastic experience for the children, affording them a unique opportunity to work with professional singers and musicians and enter the wonderful world of opera. 
Helen Burns, Stokenchurch Primary School