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A King's Ransom: A Children's Opera

4 schools. 200 children. Collaborating. Putting creativity centre stage, at the pulse of education.

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A King's Ransom: A Children's Opera

A King's Ransom: A Children's Opera

A King's Ransom: A Children's Opera

A King's Ransom: A Children's Opera

A King's Ransom: A Children's Opera

4 schools. 200 children. Collaborating. Putting creativity centre stage, at the pulse of education.

4 schools. 200 children. Collaborating. Putting creativity centre stage, at the pulse of education.

4 schools. 200 children. Collaborating. Putting creativity centre stage, at the pulse of education.

4 schools. 200 children. Collaborating. Putting creativity centre stage, at the pulse of education.

Into Opera
Into Opera
Into Opera
Into Opera
1 Campaign |
London, United Kingdom
$2,596 USD $2,596 USD 33 backers
20% of $12,634 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Help us to play a role in putting some imagination back into education.

We are facing a crisis as this is under threat.

Creativity is being squeezed out of schools across the UK. As a country we seem to have lost sight of its importance during those vital, formative years.

But what does this mean for future generations?

We expect many things from schools; we want our children to gain all sorts of skills. Amongst these, we want to see them listening with understanding, learning to work with others and experiencing what it means to take the lead. We hope they will learn to look, think and have ideas and, then, be confident about expressing those ideas. Taking part in cultural activities gives children the chance to develop and practice these skills. 

But with these experiences being increasingly rationed how will the challenges of an increasingly complex world be met?   

Who will be doing the creative thinking, the collaborating and communicating in the future?

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. 

1st Funding Goal: £5000. This will pay for each child to work with a professional designer to design and create their costume. For each child, this will cost £25.   


2nd Funding Goal: £2,200. This will pay for a professional 11 piece orchestra to perform alongside the children at the premiere. So, one individual donation of £200 will pay for one orchestral instrument!

3rd Funding Goal: £2,800. This will ensure we can pay the initial costs to secure a premiere class venue to stage A King's Ransom. We would love to give children the opportunity to perform and experience the inner workings of a professional theatre.

Your support counts. By actively helping us to raise £10,000 for some key components of this project, you will also help us to build a compelling case to present to the Arts Council in order to gain the remaining £65,000 required to bring this project to life. With your support, we can convince them that this is not a project to be dismissed.

Help us prove to the Arts Council that an investment in A King’s Ransom is an investment worth making.

The money applied for will be used to cover payment for the artists'  time, the educational resources for schools (Key Stage 2 Curriculum activity packs, learning aids for the music and vocal scores), the props and set, a workshop with the orchestra, rehearsal time at the venue and Into Opera's administration costs.

Who Are We?

Our company was founded by two good friends and colleagues, Genevieve Raghu and Benjamin Hamilton. They met at the University of Warwick in 2008 and quickly developed a shared passion for the way in which opera could touch people’s lives. Genevieve and Ben launched a tour of Henry Purcell's ‘Dido and Aeneas’ across the West Midlands and brought it to Covent Garden, London. Later, the pair staged a striking production of 'The Threepenny Opera' at Warwick Arts Centre.

Genevieve went on to run a 10 week project for children exploring Mozart’s opera, 'The Magic Flute'. The experience left Genevieve stunned by the level of creativity and sensitivity that sprang from the children involved with this project. Opera and its fusion of drama, dance, music and poetry, to tell one compelling story, created unity amongst the children. There was greater respect, individual expression and collaboration. Opera empowered those children and unlocked their imaginations. Our co-founders have continued working extensively in the arts across the UK and in other parts of Europe.

Now, Genevieve and Ben have united to make something special happen. 
Our aim: get more people Into Opera! 
How will we do it: Into Opera will stage new, bold opera productions integrated with imaginative education projects, starting with the children’s opera, A King’s Ransom.

How Else Can You Help?

For those of you who can’t help us reach our goal, you can still make a difference:
Spread the word! Support our campaign through telling your friends and family about our cause. You can do this online through the Indiegogo share tools on the left hand side of this page. The more noise we can make, the better chance we have of giving these children this amazing experience they would not otherwise experience! 
Volunteer with us! Into Opera will be welcoming help from volunteers on different aspects of the project, these could include educational roles and helping with costume and set design. If you would like to get involved then this information will be updated on the company website when available. 
Work with us! To realise this project we will be looking for designers, choreographers, education artists and stage managers to build our creative team. So please do look out for postings for such opportunities.
Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

Online Gratitude!

Currency Conversion $13 USD
£10 GBP
Bravo! Thank you for your donation! You're officially part of the Into Opera family. As a special thanks for helping make A King's Ransom possible, we will personally acknowledge you on our list of supporters on our website.
3 out of 50 of claimed

Musical Treat!

Currency Conversion $32 USD
£25 GBP
+ Your choice of one of Patrick Hawes' seven CD releases, signed by the composer and personally addressed to you. + A photo from the premiere performance of A King’s Ransom, signed by the entire creative team. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme . + Online gratitude.
3 claimed

Pamper with Poetry!

Currency Conversion $51 USD
£40 GBP
+ A copy of the 'Collected Poems' of Andrew Hawes signed by the author. + CD of the No.1 selling album ‘Angel’ by Patrick Hawes with words by Andrew Hawes and featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Signed by the composer. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme . + Online gratitude.
1 claimed

Suite Treat!

Currency Conversion $63 USD
£50 GBP
+ CD of The Highgrove Suite signed by Patrick Hawes. This music was commissioned by HRH Prince of Wales & inspired by the gardens at Highgrove. + A photo of Patrick Hawes and HRH The Prince of Wales at the premiere of The Highgrove Suite. + The 1st page of printed sheet music of A King's Ransom, signed by Patrick Hawes. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with your name printed inside. + Online gratitude
3 claimed

The Inside Scoop!

Currency Conversion $114 USD
£90 GBP
+ A professionally produced DVD of the A King's Ransom premiere including special features and behind the scenes footage. + Your choice of one of Patrick Hawes' seven CD releases, signed by the composer and personally addressed to you + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme + Online gratitude.
1 claimed

Behind the scenes!

Currency Conversion $126 USD
£100 GBP
+ 1 dress rehearsal pass for the professional world premiere of A King's Ransom (scheduled for Spring 2016). Meet and greet with Patrick Hawes at the end of the rehearsal*. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme . + Online gratitude. * Backers will be responsible for their own travel, accommodation and concert ticket.
1 claimed

Share the experience!

Currency Conversion $190 USD
£150 GBP
+ 2 dress rehearsal passes for the professional world premiere of A King's Ransom (scheduled for Spring 2016). Meet and greet with Patrick at the end of the rehearsal*. + Professionally produced programme from the premiere, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme + Online gratitude.
0 claimed

VIP drinks & a show for you!

Currency Conversion $253 USD
£200 GBP
+ 1 ticket to the professional world premiere of A King’s Ransom’s (scheduled for Spring 2016). + 1 VIP pass to the drinks reception at the premiere, with creative team meet and greet (including Patrick Hawes, Andy Hawes, Genevieve Raghu, Benjamin Hamilton) + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme . + Online gratitude.
1 claimed

Perfect package for 2!

Currency Conversion $347 USD
£275 GBP
+ 2 CDs of your choice by Patrick Hawes, signed by the composer and personally addressed to you. + 2 tickets to the professional premiere of A King's Ransom. + 2 professionally produced programmes from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme . + Online gratitude.
0 claimed

Deluxe package

Currency Conversion $442 USD
£350 GBP
+ 2 CDs of your choice by Patrick Hawes, signed by the composer & personally addressed to you. + 2 tickets to AKR's premiere. + 2 VIP passes to the premiere's drinks reception, with creative team meet and greet (including Patrick Hawes, Andy Hawes, Genevieve Raghu, Benjamin Hamilton). + 2 professionally produced programmes from the premiere of AKR, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programmes . + Online gratitude.
1 claimed

Educational package!

Currency Conversion $569 USD
£450 GBP
+ Libretto: vocal highlights from AKR + Vocal score of highlights from AKR + CD (Karaoke version) of highlights from AKR + Workshop guide: educational drama guidelines for highlights from AKR (for children aged 7-11) + Personalised video message from Patrick introducing the pieces of music included in this package. + 1 professionally produced programme from AKR's premiere, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme. + Online gratitude.
0 claimed

The Must Have!

Currency Conversion $632 USD
£500 GBP
+ The first page of AKR’s sheet music of the conductor's manuscript, written entirely in the composer's hand. This is the ultimate display, marking history! This item's in 210 x 297mm quality paper & ready to be framed. + Personalised video message from Patrick Hawes. + Photo from AKR's premiere, signed by the creative team. + Professionally produced programme from AKR's premiere, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme. + Online grati
0 claimed

Exclusive Limited Edition!

Currency Conversion $948 USD
£750 GBP
+ Copy of signed conductor's score from the premiere of A King's Ransom. + Personalised video message from Patrick. + Photo from the premiere performance of A King's Ransom signed by the creative team. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme. + Online gratitude.
0 out of 1 of claimed

The Ultimate Must Have!

Currency Conversion $1,263 USD
£1,000 GBP
+ All of Patrick's CD releases (7), signed & personally addressed. + Choose 1 of 3: • 1-to-1 composing masterclass- max 2 hrs, UK only. • Morning workshop for a choir/classroom- max 2 hrs, UK only. • Two 1-on-1 Skype calls (1 hr each) with Patrick for you/your ensemble/class. Can be recorded. + Drama workshop by AKR’s Stage Director, Genevieve Raghu. + Programme from AKR's premiere, signed by creative team, with a credit of your name printed within. + Online gratitude.
0 claimed

The One and Only!

Currency Conversion $1,895 USD
£1,500 GBP
+ Baton that Patrick Hawes uses to conduct premiere of AKR and certificate of authentication. + A photo from the premiere performance of A King’s Ransom, signed by the entire creative team. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme. + Online gratitude.
0 out of 1 of claimed

Way to Woo your Guests!

Currency Conversion $3,159 USD
£2,500 GBP
+ A private (non-commercial) piano recital by Patrick Hawes at your chosen location (UK only - pledger must provide piano). + A photo from the premiere performance of A King’s Ransom, signed by the entire creative team. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme. + Online gratitude.
0 out of 2 of claimed

No Ordinary Wine and Dine!

Currency Conversion $6,317 USD
£5,000 GBP
+ Three course dinner & champagne for two, joined by composer Patrick Hawes & AKR’s Stage Director, Genevieve Raghu. + Signed vocal score. + The complete collection of all 7 of Patrick's CD releases to date, signed by the composer & personally addressed to you. + 1 professionally produced programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed in the programme. + Online gratitude.
0 claimed

The Ultimate Memento

Currency Conversion $12,634 USD
£10,000 GBP
+ A piano piece written by Patrick Hawes, dedicated to you + Recording of the piece + Score of the piece + One page of the piece handwritten + Personalised video message from Patrick tracking his creative journey about the piece written for you + Afternoon tea with Patrick to discuss the piece that will be written for you + Programme from the premiere of A King's Ransom, signed by the creative team, with a credit of your name printed within. + Online gratitude.
0 out of 1 of claimed

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