Wed. Dec 25th, 2024

Enchanting ‘Opera for Babies’ arrives to the London Coliseum

English National Opera (ENO) and the London Coliseum present Opera for Babies this November, for fourteen daytime performances of Orpheus’ Comfort and Amor’s Ease. Babyopera is a company that creates opera and music-theatre performances for children, filled with laughter, excitement and sensory experiences. A wonderful way for children and their guardians to connect and have a truly magical experience.

Babyopera

Co-produced by Babyopera and The Norwegian Opera & Ballet, these operas will be presented as an engaging introduction to the artform off-stage in the London Coliseum’s Front of House area, providing the perfect experience for families and suitable for children up to 6 years old.

Set in the Baroque period, Orpheus’ Comfort follows the story of Orpheus and his beloved Eurydice. It tells the tale of how song and music can bring back a loved one. The tale unfolds into a delightful game of musical peekaboo as Orpheus discovers Eurydice, and once again loses her.

Amor’s Ease will transport audiences to the Baroque period where this comic opera will show how song and music can make a powerful difference. The story is of two friends dancing and playing. One of them trips and falls. Their friend rushes over to help, blowing on the sore spot to ease the pain. As soon as the first friend is feeling better, the other one falls and hurts themselves too.

Director and Costume Designer, Christina Lindgren, leads the production, alongside choreography by Elizabeth Svarstad. Scenography by Tormod Lindgren. Opera singers, also performing Baroque dance, are Silje Aker Johnsen and Elisabeth Holmertz. The music for Orpheus’ Comfort is by Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, with an original aria from Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice. Music from Amor’s Ease is by Eivind Buene, based on an original aria from Purcell’s King Arthur.

Tickets

£12.50 per adult and up to 2 children go free with each adult ticket. This production is recommended for children between the ages of 0 to 6 years old.

For more information, go to: www.eno.org Running time is 0 hours 30 minutes *Supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Arts and Culture Norway.

19-22 November 2024 (14 Performances)

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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