D’Oyly Carte Brings Opera Magic to 1,700 Schoolchildren
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Morecambe, Lancaster, England – November 21 - 23, 2024 Over 1,700 English schoolchildren, aged 5 to11, recently experienced the wonder of live opera in a century-old theatre, thanks to The D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust’s Education Programme at the Winter Gardens Theatre, Morecambe, Lancaster. Supported by The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, the initiative partnered with Opera Magic to deliver interactive performances of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, and Gilbert & Sullivan.
At Morecambe’s Winter Gardens, children enthusiastically joined the Policeman’s Chorus from The Pirates of Penzance and witnessed the magic of The Barber of Seville. This initiative celebrates 150 years of Richard D’Oyly Carte’s operatic legacy, fostering a love for opera among future generations.
About The D’Oyly Carte Foundation
The D'Oyly Carte Foundation is the American affiliate of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Trust Limited, which supports the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Since 1875, the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company has professionally produced the 14 Savoy operas of Sir W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan in the UK, Europe, US, Canada, and Australia, spreading mirth and merriment to millions.
The D’Oyly Carte Foundation’s mission is to support and promote the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’s UK and international touring, to support regional performance companies, schools, colleges, and universities dedicated to the staging of Gilbert & Sullivan operas, and to generally encourage the popular appreciation of the works of Gilbert & Sullivan.
For further information on the work of the D’Oyly Carte Foundation and the D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust Limited, please visit us at:
About Opera Magic
Opera Magic is a captivating program that introduces thousands of children each year to the magical world of opera, proving that opera can be as entertaining as it is awe-inspiring. Created by London Festival Opera, this vibrant initiative brings professional opera singers of the highest caliber into schools, offering children aged 5 to 11 an unforgettable first experience with this extraordinary art form.
With generous support from the D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust, the Thistle Trust, and private donors, Opera Magic has toured extensively across the UK, including performances in Lincoln, Windsor, London, Wiltshire, Dorset, and the historic Winter Gardens in Morecambe, where over 1,700 children were enchanted by live opera.
Opera Magic immerses children in the grandeur of opera, combining live music, drama, fantastical stories, stunning costumes, and elaborate sets. It’s a sensory feast that ignites imaginations and introduces young audiences to the power of the human voice in its most refined form. The program ensures that children have a fun, interactive, and thoroughly engaging introduction to opera, breaking down barriers and instilling a lifelong love for the art.
Each performance includes lively audience interaction, humor, and opportunities for children and teachers to join in. Volunteers from the audience are invited to perform alongside the singers, culminating in a rousing “Grand Finale” where everyone sings a celebrated opera chorus together. Participants also receive information packs ahead of the show, introducing key opera concepts, voice categories, famous composers, and traditions like shouting "Bravo!" after an aria.
Unlike educational singing groups, Opera Magic features accomplished opera singers who have performed with renowned companies such as The Royal Opera House, ENO, and Glyndebourne. The program also provides a platform for exceptional young artists from British music colleges, offering them valuable performance experience.
Opera Magic’s mission is more critical than ever, as budget cuts in music education threaten to diminish arts exposure for many children. Research shows that engaging with music and the arts can increase brain activity, foster discipline through practice, and inspire creativity—skills vital in today’s fast-paced, digital world.
London Festival Opera is committed to expanding the reach of Opera Magic to as many schools as possible. Sponsorship and donations are vital to sustaining this life-changing program, ensuring children everywhere have access to live opera of the highest standard.
For more information, to view the Opera Magic movie, or to arrange a performance at your school, visit our website or request a digital brochure. Together, let’s inspire the next generation of opera lovers!
For further information, please see:
https://londonfestivalopera.co.uk/opera-magic/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxVJ660OVD4
Media Contact:
Isabel Carro-Toro, Vice President
American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
+34 689 295 827 (Spain)
+ 1 787 244 3175 (USA)
icarro-toro@aiac.com
