SMS YOUTH OPERA THEATRE 2018

PROGRAMME CONTENT

The SMS Youth Opera Theatre is a four-week programme of classes & performances, with the final week running concurrently with an instrumental programme, bringing instrumentalists and singers together in rehearsals and public performances in Limerick and Clare. SMS was founded upon the principle that all families should have access to music programmes which are designed to encourage and nourish individual artistic potential and does not, therefore, require auditions, or a prior identification of talent level, as a criteria for admission.

Opera students are totally involved in all aspects of opera production and performance, and they are encouraged and prepared to participate in concert performances with the instrumental students and faculty. The operas usually include principal roles for a number of young people and a few pre-professional young adults. plus a large children's chorus. Each day, participants in the Opera course will be organized into groups for classes in Acting, Movement and Art (set and costumes, design and preparation). Opera classes and rehearsals will be scheduled on week days, from 9.30am to 4.30pm. When required, supervised transportation will be arranged from, and to, all rehearsal and performance locations.

SMS 2018 OPERA PRODUCTION (to be confirmed)

Eliza & the Swans commissioned by W11 Opera.
Music by John Barber. Libretto by Hazel Gould


Eliza & the Swans is an adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's magical fairy tale about a young princess who has to rescue her eleven brothers from a spell cast on them by the Queen, their jealous and evil stepmother who banishes Eliza from the castle and turns her brothers into swans each day. In a dream, a good fairy explains to Eliza that she can break this curse on her brothers by knitting eleven shirts from nettles for her brothers, but she must not speak a word until the task is complete, or all eleven brothers will die. While she is collecting nettles in the forest, Eliza meets - and is persuaded she should marry - a young king. However, because of the curse, she cannot speak and explain to him what she is doing.

The Archbishop believes that Eliza must be a witch and she is condemned to be burned at the stake. Eliza finishes knitting the last shirt just as she is brought to the stake and she throws them to the swans as they come to rescue her. She is now able to speak and tell the truth about the evil Queen and prejudiced Archbishop. The burning stakes miraculously burst into flowers as the watching crowds cheer Eliza.

PROGRAMME DATES
Classes, Rehearsals, Performances: Monday, July 16th - Saturday, August 4th.

ADMISSION
No previous singing or acting experience and no audition is required for admission to the Youth Opera Theatre. Auditions, in person or by tape, will be arranged for those students wishing to be assigned a principal role.

REGISTRATION
All principals and chorus. Between 8.45am and 9.15am, Monday, July 16th.