The Forum Trust is set to bring acclaimed opera company Opera Brava to Norwich for two nights of opera on Millennium Plain. This free event will feature Bizet's passionate and tragic Carmen on Saturday 28 July, preceded on Friday 27 July, by an operatic adaptation of The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe - the culmination of a week long summer school for local children. Both performances will start at 7.30pm.

 

In a departure from the usual opera house or theatre, the venue for these two nights of opera will be outside on Millennium Plain, Norwich. The space was originally designed to provide a natural, curved seating area for the public to watch performances for free and has since become a popular place to meet and relax in the city centre. Darren Cross, Events Manager at The Forum Trust said “Opera Brava has a great track record of producing operas in the open air. We are delighted to be hosting what should be a fantastic free event and a spectacular use of this stunning city centre space”.

 

Bizet’s Carmen lays claim to the title of ‘the world’s most popular opera’. The music, full of extravagant melody and rich in operatic hits has captivated audiences over the decades. Vibrant with energy and passion, Opera Brava’s production takes hold of the dramatic story of Carmen and captivates the audience to provide an unforgettable evening.

 

In the week preceding the two performances, Opera Brava, in conjunction with The Forum Trust, will run a free week-long summer school for children, at The Garage in Norwich. With no cost to the participants, this will be a unique opportunity for local children to get involved in every aspect of staging an opera. From learning about the music and being a part of the performance, to helping make the props, masks and costumes, the project will provide an incredible learning experience and an unforgettable first week of the summer holidays.

 

The summer school will run from Monday 23 to Friday 27 July, between 9.30am and 3.30pm every day at The Garage in Norwich, with the final performance on Friday 27 July at 7.30pm on Millennium Plain. Places are limited to 80 children, aged 7-12 years. For further information and to book a place, contact The Forum Trust Events Team on 01603 727907 or .