a woman standing in a grassy area looking at the ocean

Opera Up Close: We Two Were Lovers

Fri 14 July, 13:30
FREE

We Two Were Lovers – The Sea and I

OperaUpClose takes you on a musical and poetic journey through a young woman’s psyche as she struggles with the boundaries between love and delusion

Performed in English by a singer and accordion player, We two were lovers centres around Toria Banks’ new, contemporary version of Haydn’s dramatic cantata Arianna a Naxos, with additional music by Wagner, Dvorak, Rebecca Clark, Coleridge-Taylor and Michael Betteridge, and poetry by Emily Dickinson and Carol Ann Duffy.

Thematically linked and running adjacent to OperaUpClose’s national tour of The Flying Dutchman, We two were lovers is powerful musical storytelling addressing critical issues of our time – the movement of people, an island mentality and our complex love affair with the sea. This intense and eclectic programme speaks to lovers of spoken word and alternative music nights, to regular theatre-goers, and to all those who enjoy stories of the human condition.

The performance will be followed by an informal post-show discussion with the performers and creative team.

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OperaUpClose

OperaUpClose is an ambitious, collaborative touring opera company with an on-going mission to improve the availability, relevance and reach of the art form. We distil the essence of classic operas into new, contemporary, English language works with their own artistic integrity and excellence. We create new commissions alongside bold interpretations of established material, touring innovatively staged, affordable productions to theatres, as well as less traditional performance spaces, across the country. We are proud to be the only resident opera company in the South-West, based at the dynamic cultural hub MAST, Southampton, making opera a central part of a diverse theatrical landscape for the UK.

www.operaupclose.com

Credits: 

Catherine Hooper (singer) – Woman

Nicolette Chin (harp) – Girl

Curated and directed by Flora McIntosh

The performance has been generously supported by Arts Council England.

Dates: Friday 14 July

Start Time: 13:30

Length: 45 Minutes

Age Guidance: 11+

Tickets: FREE

Venue: Grand Junction is a venue for the community, arts and culture based at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Closest Stations: Royal Oak (Circle and Hammersmith & City line) 0.64km, Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo line) 0.64km, and Paddington Station (National Rail services and Circle, District, Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City line) 1.4km