New opera recruits 180 locals as extras

We’re looking forward to Roxanna Panufnik’s first opera this summer at Garsington, not least for the community involvement. Here’s what they have just announced:

Garsington Opera’s new commission for the 2017 Season, Silver Birch, will feature over 180 participants from the local community aged 8-80, including students from primary and secondary schools, members of the local military community, student Foley artists under the guidance of Pinewood Studios and members of Wycombe Women’s Aid.

Appearing alongside top professional singers and orchestral players, they will perform as dancers, singers, actors and instrumentalists.

Garsington Opera’s Artistic Director Douglas Boyd will conduct and collaborate with leading British composer Roxanna Panufnik, novelist and journalist Jessica Duchen (librettist), Creative Director of Garsington’s Learning and Participation programme Karen Gillingham (director), movement director Natasha Khamjani, vocal director Suzi Zumpe, designer Rhiannon Newman Brown and video designer Mischa Ying.