A groundbreaking new opera – imagined by more than 2,000 creative young minds across Rotherham – will make its world premiere on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th November at the Magna Science Adventure Centre.
In partnership with the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), Rotherham Music Service, Grimm & Co, and Children’s Capital of Culture, the production has been officially titled ‘Tales Untapped: A Rotherham Opera’. The hour-long performance will feature over 1,500 young people sharing the stage with a cast of professional singers and a live orchestra.
Set in a reimagined Rotherham, the story follows Pidge, a local legend who discovers a mysterious, magical tap with the power to release the town’s hidden stories. As the tales flow freely once more, colour, imagination, and creativity begin to return to the community – but only if Pidge can complete the task in time.
Liam O’Shea, Community Music Manager at Rotherham Music, said: “In what will be the UK’s largest community opera to date, Tales Untapped marks a milestone moment in Rotherham’s year as the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture. It’s a celebration of the imagination, talent, and artistry of young people across the borough.
“Since the start of the year, we’ve worked with over 45 schools in all 25 wards, delivering storytelling,
composition, and design workshops with children of every age. We can’t wait for audiences to experience the incredible result of their creativity and hard work.” The project is part of the RBO’s new four-year initiative to expand access to arts education in Rotherham and Bradford. Tales Untapped has been devised by Kirsty Taylor and Lucy Mulgan, in collaboration with Rosie Kat and the young people of Rotherham.
For more information, visit http://www.rotherhammusic.co.uk/rotherham-opera.