It’s not just about the DOME.
The Luminarium is only a part of the story. It exists solely to support the operas within.
The Opera Réale project is, first and foremost, about producing world-class opera. Exceptional voices and studio quality music, combined into bold, imaginative performances that fully exploit the emotional potential of what we are building and attract the finest talents in the Operatic Universe.
Full orchestras, unabridged productions and, eventualy, specially programmed and commissioned works designed for the acoustic, the space and, of course, the screen. These will be operas that belong to the Opera Réale, that can only release their full potghential within the confines of The Luminarium.
EVOLUTION
The inspriation for the Opera Réale project came from a small scene in Bury Court Opera’s recent production of the Turn Of The Screw when Miles, played by Harry Hetherington, lights a small candle in preparation for yet another night of haunting by Andrew Dickinson’s malevolent ghost of Peter Quint.
Throughout the history of opera, the expansive imagination of composers and directors has been constrained by the physical and technological limitations of the traditional apparatus. Over the last 200 years, much effort has been expended to broaden the palate of available techniques with which to enrich the structural canvas of each individual opera.
It was clear, in the performance of The Turn of The Screw, that here was an opportunity to bring in a new dimension of theatrical weaponry to amplify the performance and augment the haunting with more power and more emotion than ever before.
For example, the candle could have developed into stars in the night sky,before transforming into a raging, ghoulish storm to magnify the effect of Quint’s aggression, maximise the horror of Miles’ situation and immerse the audience in the maelstrom of fear that is evoked so strongly by the music.
It could transport everyone directly to that dark and tortured place, orchestrated by Britten and envisaged by James, over a century ago.
The Reach of Creative Opportunity.
The unique characteristic of a projection dome is its ability to transport audiences to any place, in any time, be it the highest heavens or the deepest oceans. In a flash, it can whisk them on an unforgettable journey beyond the real, past the unreal, and far into the depths of the production imagination.
For those involved in creating our productions, the enormous scope of the projection area and the quality of the soundscape represent a step-change of creative opportunity for the most imaginative producers.
We want to attract the greatest minds and the most creative thinkers both young and old. So, we will treasure bright new minds alongside experienced problem-solvers of any age. The values of invention, imagination and creativity will take equal place beside wisdom, co-operation and collaboration on all levels. The essence of ‘the ensemble’ will extend out from its usual home with ‘the cast’ and embrace the entire production ecosystem.
For the audience, the result is a spell-binding season of arresting opera that engages them in a way that is more inclusive, more powerful and more intimate than any other opera in the world. It will add an extra dimension to a classic experience, engaging the senses, subverting the realities and capturing the loyalties of an entirely new cohort of opera-goers and classical music enthusiasts.
Yoof!
Like the vampires of yore, opera can only survive with a continued supply of new blood!
That means making opera appealing and available to younger audiences everywhere.
Our strategy highlights the need for open accessibility for an ever wider audience. This is not just about addressing geographical location but about engaging new minds in what we offer. Cheap admission, a system of free tickets for enthusiastic youth and the pull of exciting ‘tech’ and a fresh ‘experience’ will all play a part in that effort.
In production terms, we are developing a meaningful and comprehensive programme to provide multiple opportunities for broad-minded, young creative talent, with open minds and collaborative attitudes.
For performers and techinicians alike, the programme will put them alongside seasoned professionals, for design, construction and technical tasks or dedicated performances, workshops and understudy positions.
They will be drafted in to support our effort to disrupt the production process and realise our mission to bring ‘content’ forward as an equal partner with ‘performance’ and ‘design’ and so keep opera vital for years to come.