WNO Youth Opera (10-18 years) will perform the creepy, comic opera, The Black Spider, written by composer Judith Weir, at the Weston Studio, Wales Millennium Centre. The production will be performed by a company of 50 singers aged 10 to 18, reuniting for their first live production since Brundibár in 2019.
The full-scale ‘Hammer Horror’ inspired production, directed by Rhian Hutchings and conducted by Dan Perkin, explores a mysterious curse, a deadly virus, and a wicked arachnid based on Jeremias Gotthelf’s dark medieval tale Die Schwarze Spinn. Judith Weir created The Black Spider specifically for young people, combining, history, horror and comedy with the aim of showcasing their acting and singing skills, providing a unique piece for WNO’s Youth Opera to perform and audiences to enjoy.
Working in collaboration with local universities to promote and encourage local talent, the production will also include two opera students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. To nurture young talent off-stage, a Youth Opera Alumnus will take the role of Assistant Director and animated projections for the set will be created by 20 students at University South Wales on the BA Animation course.
A pre-performance talk prior to the Saturday evening performance will be hosted by Composer Judith Weir, Director Rhian Hutchings and Cardiff University Lecturer Dr David Beard.
Weston Studio, WMC, May 28 and 29
https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2022/wno-youth-opera-the-black-spider
Image of Tomos Jones by Craig Fuller