Over 170 North East schoolchildren will join the chorus of Opera North to sing at Hexham Abbey on Friday 1 July.
The Big Sing will involve children from Bede Academy in Blyth, Hexham East First School, George Washington Primary School, Chollerton First School and Haydon Bridge Shaftoe Primary School. Alongside the Opera North Chorus they will be performing Myths and Legends, arranged and written by conductor Justin Doyle.
It tells the story of the creation of the world as depicted in traditional Scandinavian folk tunes and Old Norse sagas, including the Icelandic Eddas which fired Wagner’s imagination. The audience is taken on an exhilarating journey through icy cold regions and scorching hot worlds, witnessing fights between giants and Nordic gods, visiting the golden halls of Asgard and watching horse-drawn chariots pull the moon and sun into their places in the sky.
The song cycle has been created to link with the company’s Der Ring de Nibelungen which will be performed at The Sage Gateshead from 5 to 10 July.
“Myths and Legends has been a great way of enabling children to connect with the Company’s Ring cycle performances—which are enthralling audiences all over the North—by exploring the stories which form the basis of Wagner’s epic work,” said Jacqui Cameron, Opera North Education Director.
“The children have really enjoyed singing together and are very excited about appearing with the Chorus of Opera North to show everyone what they have learnt. We’re delighted that the children have been given the opportunity to perform at Hexham Abbey and, to make the event even more memorable, we’ve arranged for a professional lighting designer to provide a stunning backdrop inspired by the concert’s themes.”
The Big Sing is at Hexham Abbey on 1 July at 6PM and tickets are £2.