Our production of the new ‘people’s opera’ BLOOM BRITANNIA was staged for the first time in October 2021 at St. Mary in the Castle in Hastings. An affectionate, comic opera, bringing together influences from folk, pop and jazz, this is an opera like no other, and is at the heart of our mission to engage new participants, as well as new audiences, in the experience of opera.
Composer: ORLANDO GOUGH Librettist: STEPHEN PLAICE Director: POLLY GRAHAM Artistic Director: JENNY MILLER Conductors: CHRISTOPHER STARK/MARK AUSTIN
The culmination of many years of development, with a leading creative team working with the communities of Hastings, St. Leonards and Bexhill – children, young people and adults – many of whom performed on stage alongside an outstanding professional cast and live band, BLOOM BRITANNIA is a hilarious, raucous, challenging, action-packed, thrilling production celebrating the joy of singing, music and creativity. Read more about the development of the project HERE.
‘Barefoot Opera’s stupendous community opera BLOOM BRITANNIA had its last performance today. What a dazzling delight, a faultless production embodying the spirit of Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea. I’m honestly overwhelmed by the professionalism of this opera but further moved by the community engagement. Quality always shines through and this production scores on every level...truly a triumph.’
Audience Feedback 2021
Participants and participating organisations
A chorus of local people from Hastings, St. Leonards and Bexhill from across the generations.
Singers from several community choirs including Hastings Philharmonic Choir, Sound Waves Community Choir, Opera South East, and vocal groups Acapella Bellas, Rattlebag, Now and Then
Participants from Arts On Prescription and The Seaview Project
Pupils from Dudley Infants School and The Hastings Academy
Barefoot opera, well known for its fresh and lively performances of opera classics, presents a unique evening, combining a well-loved opera favourite with an operatic rarity that share a common theme: our search for love and inspiration in a dangerous world.
‘It takes a town to make an opera: Bloom Britannia’ SHORT FILM PREMIÈRE & Q&A
Join Isolation Station for the première of Barefoot Opera’s inspiring new short film, made with @RedKiteFilms, which documents the joy of taking part in the epic new ‘people’s opera’ Bloom Britannia.
Inspired by life in our seaside towns, the project involves many local musicians, singers and people of all ages. Thrown off course by the pandemic, the power of the music remains, and people look forward to the return of the project this year. Followed by a short Q & A with the Barefoot Opera team.
Thursday, 6pm either on Facebook via the link below, or via YouTube here!
Barefoot Opera’s final online Emergency Arts funded concert: light the fire, pour out the red wine, and join Jenny Miller in her ghostly studio as she explores this quintessential song repertoire alone…with a lot of candles.
Barefoot Opera is partnering with Isolation Station to produce our Artists Sessions. The event will be streamed live on two Facebook pages:
Join Barefoot Opera Artistic Director, Jenny Miller and Glastonbury Festival favourite, LEKIDDO – Lord of The Lobsters! for an all-singing, all-dancing workshop with joyous uplifting pop moves and catchy tunes.
Lobsterliciously – Spreading the Lobster Love with LEKIDDO – Lord of The Lobsters! Pop music that brings uplifting joyous fun with The V&A’s Glastonbury Festivals People’s Playlist favourite, No.1 artist, LEKIDDO – Lord of The Lobsters!
“Show Me Your Claws” Beautiful PinchyPinchykisskiss Peoples and we’ll have a Lobsterliciously happening time together Spreading the Lobster Love.
Barefoot Opera is partnering with Isolation Station to produce our Artists Sessions. The event will be streamed live on two Facebook pages:
Classical soprano Chiara Vinci takes you on a journey through some colourful soprano repertoire. From curious child, in Bernstein’s cycle of five kids songs, to petulant and repulsive bride in Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig, and pioneering feminist in Poulenc’s Les Mamelles de Tirésias.
Chiara will also be singing a snippet of Barefoot Opera’s Bloom Britannia fresh off the page by composer Orlando Gough.
Barefoot Opera is partnering with Isolation Station to produce our Artists Sessions. The event will be streamed live on two Facebook pages:
Photo of Chiara by Lidia Crisafulli for Over The Pond Productions
17 October, 2020
Bloom Britannia Workshop
Saturday, October 17th 10 am – 12 pm
We are able to move ahead – with COVID care – to the most cherished workshop/rehearsal on our list. We can invite 20 singers to St John the Evangelist Brittany Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea TN38 0RD to workshop/rehearse a NEW chorus from the now completed score of Bloom Britannia.
Barefoot Opera is partnering with Isolation Station to produce our Music Sessions. The event will be streamed live on our Facebook page:
Places are now full. We plan to work on a first come first serve basis for each voice group. Please register your interest via email to tell us your voice type. Email: info@barefootopera.com
7 October, 2020
Artists Session: Frank Moon – Old, new, & spontaneous music for the Oud
8pm Wednesday 7th October FREE
Multi-instrumentalist and composer Frank Moon weaves Arabic melodies, original compositions, and improvisations on the oud (Arabic lute). With musical references to the Middle East, Bulgaria, medieval Spain, blues and Saharan funk, new pieces, and ancient melodies are springboards for improvisation.
Barefoot Opera is partnering with Isolation Station to produce our Artists Sessions. The event will be streamed live on two Facebook pages:
Feel the pulse with this interactive rhythmic workshop, where you can anchor your body’s beat and explore some more challenging patterns!
Laurence Panter is a singer/pianist/composer with an interest in education and performance. He was involved in 2019’s Bloom Britannia as both a singer and coach and has fingers firmly crossed for more to come.
Please register & you will receive the zoom link on the day of the event. Tickets available until 24 hrs before the event.
19 September, 2020
Artists Session Live: Theatre Nation – Tree in Bloom
4 pm Saturday 19th September FREE St Leonards
Hasting’s own Theatre Nation is run by Patrick Kealey. His company and Bloom Britannia are linked by the wonderfully versatile Patrick, who appears in our production as Apple Jonny, the down and out who crops up all over the place during the opera.
Before the madness happened, his Company was due to start a tour of Samuel Becket’s masterpiece, “Waiting For Godot”. Theatre Nation had commissioned the well-loved local sculptor, Leigh Dyer, to forge the iconic tree for the set of the play. It is a thing of beauty. And it’s not been seen by anyone!
A short, COVID secure, socially distanced performance, featuring a small choir of Bloomers, a tree, and… a special guest.
Tickets must be reserved in groups of no more than 6. There will be a maximum audience of 30.
18 September, 2020 - 31 October, 2020
Virtual Cafe: Bloom Sharing
Every Friday 11am FREE
Let’s stay in touch! Come along every Friday to chat, share stories, poetry, and photos. Every week a new theme!
Please register & you will receive the zoom link on the day of the event. Tickets available until 24 hrs before the event.
16 September, 2020
Artists Session: Ruby Colley – On Foot On Strings
8 pm Wednesday 16th September FREE
A sound walk of East Sussex that’s guided by strings… the thread that weaves different parts of hastings together. Weaving in field recordings made during walks in lockdown, Ruby improvises folk-inspired melodies with electronics.
Barefoot Opera is partnering with Isolation Station to produce our Artists Sessions. The event will be streamed live on two Facebook pages:
Simon Thorpe’s swing band Jivin’ Miss Daisy regularly appears at Ronnie Scott’s Club and is well known on the UK jazz scene.
Simon and singer Liz Fletcher will perform songs by the greats, including Duke Ellington and Irving Berlin. Expect a variety of music and a special guest!
Barefoot Opera are offering another outdoor picnic music event; with great care and attention to social distancing and track and tracing. We are going to limit numbers to 45 as an extra precautionary measure.
19 August, 2020
Crazy Kids Cabaret: Bev Lee Harling
10am Wednesday 19th August FREE
A Family-Friendly 30-minute show. It’s August – it’s CRAZY!
Bev and her family create music using random household objects. Join in with your own pots and pans and whatever hitty, shaky things you can find lying around for this fun, chaotic musical extravaganza.
Bev is a composer, performer, singer-songwriter and educator who revels in mixing up genres and everyday sounds into one big musical soup for the soul.
Artists Session Live: Gavin & Naomi – Violin/Cello Duo
SOLD OUT
7 pm Tuesday 11th August FREE
Outstanding soloists Gavin Kibble and Naomi Burrell will play a selection of solos and duets live in a St Leonards garden.
Gavin Kibble played ‘cello in Barefoot Opera’s ‘Bloom Britannia’ extract last May. He and his partner violinist Naomi Burrell perform regularly with ensembles including the English Concert, Academy of Ancient Music, and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and were both poised to start a long tour with English Touring Opera when lockdown struck.
Repertoire: Bach, Cassado, Corelli, and other tuneful surprises…
The concert is ‘pay what you can by donation’
Bring your picnic blanket/chairs
There will be no facilities available
Parking on the road
After the success of our pop-up live recording with Chiara Vinci and Tom Clarkson, Barefoot Opera are offering another outdoor picnic music event; with great care and attention to social distancing and track and tracing. We are going to limit numbers to 40 as an extra precautionary measure.
5 August, 2020
Crazy Kids Cabaret: 5th Aug
10 am Wednesday 5th August FREE
A Family-Friendly 30-minute show! It’s August – it’s CRAZY!
Lobsterliciously – Spreading the Lobster Love with LEKIDDO – Lord of The Lobsters! Pop music that brings uplifting joyous fun with The V&A’s Glastonbury Festivals People’s Playlist favourite, No.1 artist, LEKIDDO – Lord of The Lobsters!
Join LEKIDDO – Lord of The Lobsters! in this fun half-hour with joyous uplifting pop moves and catchy tunes. “Show Me Your Claws” Beautiful PinchyPinchykisskiss Peoples and we’ll have a Lobsterliciously happening half-hour together Spreading the Lobster Love.
As we are now allowed to meet outside – this event will be live and in person! (not via zoom)
For all ages, Lucy will lead this workshop incorporating improvisation and story-telling. Together we will create a new piece of music involving singing, body, and voice “percussion”. Come along with a big voice and a lot of energy!
A regular with Barefoot Opera, Lucy Mulgan is a composer, bass player, and educator who works in many different styles – from opera to jazz and pop.
Please register & you will receive details of this event which will be outside in St Leonards-on-Sea. Tickets available until 24 hrs before the event.
22 July, 2020
Artists Session: Tom & Chiara – Songs for the Isolated
8pm Wednesday 22nd July FREE
Join Tom and Chiara for a living room session of folk songs, vocal harmonies, and stories.
Multi-instrumentalist Tom Clarkson and soprano Chiara Vinci (aka Stage Left Project) share a personal selection of songs that have kept their spirits up during the Lockdown. Enjoy songs from Kurt Weill to Crosby Stills and Nash with midweek wine or summer sobriety.
Barefoot Opera is partnering with Isolation Station to produce our Artists Sessions
17 July, 2020
Music Quiz: Play that funky music for a while!
6.30pm Friday 17 July FREE
Back by popular demand, Multi-instrumentalist Tom Clarkson and soprano Chiara Vinci (aka Stage Left Project) present a Hastings-based music quiz with live music performances throughout. You don’t have to know everything, but if you do then you’ll probably win.
Prizes include pride, glory, and satisfaction.
Please register & you will receive the zoom link on the day of the event. Tickets available until 24 hrs before the event.
8 July, 2020
Artists Session: Alice Privett – Opera in my Pjs
8pm Wednesday 8th July FREE
As the rules relax, why shouldn’t you? Enjoy a mixture of classic opera favourites, Schubert Lieder and Folksong- all from the comfort of your own home. Don your PJs, get comfy, pour a glass of wine: treat yourself!
Soprano Alice Privett studied at the Guildhall and the Royal Academy and has since worked as a soloist with Holland Park, Opera, Garsington Opera, and Longborough Festival Opera. She particularly loves opportunities to perform contemporary music.
As well as clips and photos from you we will feature guest spots from our core team and community partners. Keep up to date with all the news, music and a lot of flowers!
We are kicking off our on-line Bloom activities with a Bloom by Zoom Workshop!
Jenny Miller, accompanied by Alice Privett, will first give you an energized fun blast of Barefoot Opera’s ‘Breath Movement and Sound’ and then lead you through two of the big numbers from Act One of Bloom Britannia. A great chance to try out for yourself what the music is like, or a great chance to re-connect with participants from last year. Jenny will ensure that you can follow as a first-timer.
We will have a Makaton signer to make the session as accessible as possible.
Music: Spirelighter and Ayde Jano are downloadable as either text only or music. Please visit the bloom download page below.
