On 2nd and 3rd July, young talent from the Little Choir of Joy, Waltham Forest Youth Orchestra, and a choir of local primary school students performed This Is Carmen at Big Penny Social, writes Sophie Mitchell
More than 600 pupils from Waltham Forest schools came together to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Carmen by Georges Bizet.
On 2nd and 3rd July, young talent from the Little Choir of Joy, Waltham Forest Youth Orchestra, All the Young Dudes Guitar Group and a choir of local primary school students performed a special production titled This Is Carmen at Big Penny Social.
The production was born out of a collaboration between the Royal Ballet and Opera and Waltham Forest Music Service (WFMS), and was directed by Italian soprano Maya Sapone. Introducing young people to the storytelling tradition of opera, the retelling of Carmen explores Georges Bizet’s life and his 1875 masterpiece.
The children performed classic pieces like Habanera and the Toreador Song, but in addition to this, the cast were encouraged to bring forward their own ideas throughout rehearsals. New music, like Flamenco Dance, was also composed for the production, which was described by organisers as “truly unique”.
WFMS provides music educational opportunities to children across Walthamstow. This is the third opera project that WFMS has brought to life in partnership with the Royal Ballet and Opera. WFMS says the success of This Is Carmen speaks to their efforts in creating an appreciation for opera among young people.
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