If we are going to develop the next generation of politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists… who will discover, imagine and lead, then it is imperative for creativity to thrive.
In a bid to combat the squeezing out of the creative spirit in schools, Into Opera has created a unique Education Project which will immerse children in an exciting cultural experience and encourage creativity and imagination across the whole curriculum.![]()
Our creative team running a workshop with 11-year-olds to develop A King's Ransom (Norwich, 2012).
Help us play a role in securing the UK as a creative nation
Into Opera's project can make an impact. It will bring 200 children, from 4 schools, from different social backgrounds together. 200 children will be offered a truly unique experience. Integrating, collaborating and working side by side, these children will stage a brand new opera. They will work with a composer, a librettist and a range of professional artists to explore this all encompassing art form and discover how a production develops from its inception through to a full-scale production. Into Opera will work closely with teachers. In fact, the aim is for teachers, parents and children of all four schools to come together with this opera at its core.
Into Opera hopes to demonstrate the numerous ways in which cultural activity can really encourage the creative imagination across the whole curriculum. All children deserve a high quality cultural education. The multifaceted nature of opera can inspire and empower children; it can help them become what UNESCO calls an 'all round complete person’.
A King's Ransom
Into Opera has teamed up with the acclaimed British Classical Composer, Patrick Hawes. The project is focussed upon working with children aged 7-11 to stage the Professional World Premiere of Patrick’s children’s opera, A King’s Ransom.
The opera offers an unusual twist on the well-known story of Robin Hood. It explores what happens when Robin is unable to save the day, and instead, the community must look within itself for answers to its problems.
A King’s Ransom was originally written in 1994. Now, 21 years later, Patrick and brother Andy, the opera's librettist, are returning to this work with fresh eyes and collaborating with Into Opera to revise and expand the work. The characters in the opera clearly split into four chorus sections: the villagers, soldiers, bagmen and masons. Each of these chorus sections will be performed by an individual school.
A King's Ransom's creative team : Stage Director: Genevieve Raghu, Musical Director: Benjamin Hamilton, Composer: Patrick Hawes, Librettist: Andrew Hawes (Norfolk, 2015).
This is a wonderful opportunity for children to work closely with professional artists to develop, nurture and build skills in creativity and self-confidence.
Into Opera will also provide teachers with resources and workshops aimed at embedding creativity into the whole curriculum.
A King’s Ransom is the core of our education project and will enable us to carry out our mission: to put creativity at the pulse of education.
Into Opera has formed a partnership with the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts, a charity which helps disadvantaged children across the UK to become involved with the arts. With the support of the Prince’s Foundation, Into Opera plans to develop the project beyond the premiere of A King’s Ransom so that it becomes a national education project, reaching schools in need of it most.
At a time when school subjects engendering creativity and imagination seem to be valued less and less, Into Opera and Children and the Arts will endeavour to put some of the creative spirit back.
How Can You Help?
Into Opera's goal of raising £10,000 goal will help to secure major components of this project as shown below.