Flatpack Opera are a group of young musicians based in Aberdeen who studied at or are still studying in the Music Department at the University of Aberdeen.
They are seeking funds to help produce three short operas for children which will be performed in schools in Aberdeen in February 2019. The project is managed by composer Joe Stollery and librettist Ruth Rose. Inspired by the appeal of the format of “pop-up” operas, they are creating three new operas that are specifically designed for children with workshops attached to the performances to engage children in the whole experience of opera. The operas themselves are portable and can be bundled into a car to travel around performing to various school groups in Aberdeen.
They have been awarded funding from Aberdeen City Council through the 2018 Year of Young People Creative Funding but they still need to raise a further £2040 for production costs.
Can you help?
They have set up a crowdfunding project on Indiegogo where you can pledge your support. In return for your support they are offering a number of perks including signed copies of the musical scores and a private performance.
Ruth says: "The main idea behind this project is to make opera more accessible. The words and music are specifically designed to be family-oriented with topics that are interesting to children. The three operas are much shorter than normal operas at around 10-15 minutes each. The cast for each opera is made up of three singers accompanied by violin and cello. I've always had a passion for opera and I know that it can sometimes appear daunting, but we're hoping that these new operas will help change the perspectives of the next generation of opera-goers."
Joe says, "I’ve composed four short operas over the past few years, including The Maiden Stone which was performed on the slopes of Bennachie in Aberdeenshire and which involved schoolchildren from 5 local primary schools. I met Ruth when we were working on the Encouraging New Opera project run by Aberdeen University and Scottish Opera and I am looking forward to working with her again on these operas! It's really important that young people get access to something as powerful as opera so creating these short pieces will hopefully be a way into it for people who wouldn't normally go to hear one."
