Brand new opera HOPES & FEARS to feature as part of the Arcola Theatre’s Grimeborn Opera Festival next month

The Opera Makers have announced that they will present a brand new opera Hopes & Fears, as part of the Arcola Theatre’s Grimeborn Opera Festival 2021, running from 1 – 4 September 2021.

Created with Shine Cancer Support UK, this compelling new opera includes an original libretto based on a collection of stories of people living with cancer by Olivier Award nominee and Off-West End Award winner Becca Marriott, set to the beautiful and haunting music of Claude Debussy. It features a delicate new musical arrangement by award-winning pianist and musical director, Panaretos Kyriatzidis. 

This emotional and powerful production includes audio recordings of interviews with people living cancer as well as those who have supported them. Musically, the piece knits together two of Debussy’s most powerful operatic sketches L’enfant prodigue and La Damoiselle élue – the first time these two works have been integrated for the stage.

Hopes & Fears tells the story of a mother waiting for her son, fearing she may die before ever seeing him again; while in the same hospital, two young lovers struggle to find the words to say goodbye.  It is an exploration of the strength of human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.

The cast for the production includes mezzo-soprano Caroline Carragher who has not only experienced living with cancer herself, but cared for her father when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She has been integral in the creation of the production and will play the role of the ‘Nurse’.

She will be joined by Nina Bennet who plays the ‘Mother’, the longest serving Carlotta in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera Lara Martins will play the role of the ‘Lover’, with Pauls Putnins as the ‘Father’, tenor Martins Smaukstelis as ‘Adrian’, and Becca Marriott as the ‘Patient’.

The piece is directed by Jorge Balça, with lighting by Alexander Ridgers.

Hopes & Fears will play at the Arcola’s new outside space, and tickets can be purchased here.