With the premiere of Roxanna Panufnik’s People’s Opera Silver Birch taking place this weekend, Garsington Opera is pleased to announce a ground-breaking digital partnership with BBC Arts Digital and Pinewood Studios which will see sections of the performance captured by 360-degree cameras and ambisonic microphones in a project entitled Person 181.
With 180 community participants performing in Silver Birch, alongside professional singers and orchestra, this partnership project opens up the experience of participating in a live performance to the online viewer: the 181st participant.
For the first time ever, full access will be granted to backstage areas, warm up sessions with the cast and, ultimately, the live performance.
“Garsington Opera is excited to be working in partnership with BBC Arts Digital and Pinewood Studios on this amazing project. Person 181 will extend the reach of Roxanna Panufnik’s People’s Opera to the world, using cutting-edge technology and innovative digital story-telling. We hope that the project will reach those who are unable to take part in creative projects, giving them a first-person experience of the amazing journey each of the community participants has been on to perform in Silver Birch” commented Johnny Langridge, Director of Development & Communications.
Silver Birch world premiere performances take place at Garsington Opera on 28, 29 & 30 July 2017. Person 181 will be available online via BBC Arts Digital free of charge from the autumn this year.
Garsington Opera’s thrilling new commission, Silver Birch, will feature over 180 participants from the local community aged 8-80, including students from primary and secondary schools, members of the local military community, student Foley artists under the guidance of Pinewood Studios and members of Wycombe Women’s Aid. Appearing alongside top professional singers and orchestral players, they will perform as dancers, singers, actors and instrumentalists. Garsington Opera’s Artistic Director Douglas Boyd will conduct. This draws to a close Garsington Opera’s 2017 season which has enjoyed record attendances and was 98% sold out.