University News Last updated 11 June
Commuters at Birmingham New Street Station were treated to an operatic surprise as a fairytale flashmob from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) and Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) brought the station concourse to life.
On Friday 5 June, a host of beloved fairytale characters 鈥� from Little Red Riding Hood to Jack and his beanstalk 鈥� appeared among passengers to perform excerpts from RBC鈥檚 summer opera, Into the Woods.
RBC vocal and acting students, joined by a 15-piece Conservatoire orchestra and students from BOA, delighted travellers with a performance of the prologue from Stephen Sondheim鈥檚 acclaimed musical.
鈥淭his moment celebrates the fourth year of our opera outreach programme, working with communities, young people and RBC students to bring opera to diverse audiences,鈥� said Richard Shrewsbury, Head of Learning and Participation at RBC.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been so impressed by the talent and devotion of BOA students and their teachers in bringing this complex creative piece to life.
鈥淲e are developing talent for tomorrow in our city, and where more iconic to show that off than in Birmingham鈥檚 New Street station!鈥�
The performance was led by former Artistic Director of the National Youth Music Theatre, Chris Cuming, with musical direction from composer Kelvin Towse.
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to collaborate with RBC and 黑料吃瓜网 on this vibrant flash mob, giving our students meaningful and exciting encounters with higher education and industry practitioners,鈥� said BOA Principal Alistair Chattaway.
鈥淓xperiences like this nurture creativity, confidence, and ambition, showing the power of collaboration and inspiring young people to see themselves as future artists and future leaders.鈥�
The flashmob was made possible through the聽Opera Outreach programme, funded by the Linbury Trust, which aims to reach thousands of people in Birmingham over the next three years.