Opera Writing Overview
A new round of the Jerwood Opera Writing Programme is being launched in January 2010, and we are inviting applications for the Foundation Course now.
Aldeburgh has had a long history of producing new opera; one of the reasons the Aldeburgh Festival was founded in 1948 was to give a home to Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears' English Opera Group. Many significant works by contemporary composers have been premiered at Aldeburgh, in addition to performances of established works from the 20th-century canon.
In 2007, Aldeburgh Music and the Jerwood Charitable Foundation launched the Jerwood Opera Writing Programme, designed for composers, writers and directors who want to widen their horizons and equip themselves to create contemporary work combining music, theatre and text.
The Jerwood Opera Writing Programme consists of two stages: Foundation and Fellowships. Both are aimed at those with little or no experience of writing an opera, with the Foundation offering a series of workshops for participants to develop their skills, and the Fellowships providing tailor-made support for those who wish to create a new work.
For more information about the Jerwood Opera Writing Programme please contact Chelsea Lawrence, Opera Administrator, on 01728 687100 or email clawrence@aldeburgh.co.uk.
Jerwood Opera Writing Programme
‘Every moment of those precious rehearsal hours was instructive. There is no substitute for actually writing and rehearsing an opera.’ – Marcy Kahan
‘It was a remarkable experience and I think every participant came to realise how unique, exciting and special the Jerwood Opera Writing Programme is. I will definitely write opera in the future.’ – Jack Underwood