Playground Opera is Longborough Festival Opera's project to bring opera into schools.
Playground Opera makes opera more accessible and provides an exciting first experience of opera for hundreds of children. We prioritise schools in areas of rural or economic deprivation, where children have little access to high-quality culture. Playground Opera abridges classic operas, involving the pupils in rewriting the story, meeting the characters, and singing and dancing along to the music, resulting in an absorbing and highly engaging performance.
Over 1,500 pupils have the chance to dig deeper and analyse the story, working in small groups with our team to make the story more relevant and in most cases, more extraordinary. Children are shown how to project their singing voices and to express themselves through movement.
The opportunity to engage in high-quality artistic experiences can give students a huge boost in confidence. Our approach creates a fun and liberating environment in which children can express themselves.
Take part in 2025
Following a successful tour, our 2024 production will return: The Implausible Potions of Dr Dulcamara is based on Donizetti’s Elixir of Love that tells the tale of haughty Adina, loved by shy Nemorino, who's intimidated by the boastful Belcore - all of whom are hoodwinked by the unscrupulous Dr Dulcamara. Love, longing, lies and gossip, plus some magic potions and a lot of confusion make this story a brilliant one for children. The day culminates in a 45-minute, abridged performance of the opera, performed by members of the Longborough Festival Opera company and musicians.
How it works
The Playground Opera company, including our director, singers and instrumentalists, would spend a full day at your school.
We run a 90-minute workshop to 30 of your Year 5/6s, unpacking the issues of the story, getting the children to consider their own choices and rewrite the narrative. These pupils will learn the one of Dr Dulcamara's arias as well as rehearse their parts as the gossiping villagers in the chorus.
After lunch, the company will perform the abridged opera to all of your students and include participation for the students who learnt their parts in the morning workshops.
2025 Tour Dates coming soon
What we need from you
- 30 students from year 5/6 to be in the workshop/performance.
- An audience to watch the matinee performance of the opera.
- A room large enough for us to work and perform in (we work around lunch hours).
- The set requires a depth of around 3 metres.
- A selection of dates that suit you, to help us with our planning.
We fundraise vigorously in order to offer a 95% subsidy for state primary schools.
To find out more, contact jess@lfo.org.uk
