Streetwise Opera Re:sound

Since November 2022, Streetwise Opera performers have been taking part in a research project, generously funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. This research project is part of Streetwise Opera’s Resound Festival. Over the last year, Streetwise performers in Manchester – and in Nottingham and London too – have created 9 micro-operas (3/4 min pieces), exploring the connection between themselves and the cities in which they live.

Two of these pieces – City of Beeting Hearts and The Spirit of Manchester are the inspiration for this research. City of Beeting Hearts tells the story of three Manchester citizens guided to what they need by the Manchester Worker Bee, and The Spirit of Manchester conjures up a fictional goddess from the fountains of Piccadilly Gardens, to help reconcile a conflict between a group of impassioned protesters and a seemingly uncaring businessman.

Picking up on the themes of protest, the history of Piccadilly Gardens and the origins of the Manchester Worker Bee, Streetwise Opera performers have visited the People’s History Museum, participated in talks and sessions at the Manchester Histories Hub, been taken on an historical walking tour of Manchester and had access to the North-West Film Archives at Manchester Library. Manchester Histories are now working with the group to develop the research with the group, and now – we’d love to share this research with you!

The presentation will take place between 1pm – 2pm, light refreshments will be served.

Please reserve your place at this research presentation by e-mailing Emma at e.doherty@streetwiseopera.org

Streetwise Opera is an opera company that enables people who’ve experienced homelessness to find inspiration and empowerment while they rebuild their lives and identities. We support participants to develop as creative people and, as we amplify their voices, change how society views homelessness.