Songs of Hope, Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival 2023

A song cycle of hope located within a field recorded and sonically manipulated soundscape, including words, songs and music. Contemporary writers have responded to the poem “Hope" is the thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson. Laura has set the words for voices, piano, instruments and pre-recorded sounds. These musical echoes are presented in an audio walk. Free to access by mobile phone and headphones in specific locations using GPS location software echoes xyz.com (software to be downloaded in advance). Laura will be presenting this as a guided ticketed walk on the launch day, 5.00pm 29th August. Meeting outside entrance to Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, the walk will take 60 - 75 minutes. It will be available to access via mobile devices for the duration of the festival. Featuring soprano Gweneth Ann Rand and piano by Allyson Devenish. Music by Laura Reid. Words: Ahed Al Hamwi, Katie Colombus, Oge Nwosu, Teresa Howard. Responses to the poem range from the personification of Hope by Ahed Al Hamwi, optimistic reflections recalling images of nature by Teresa Howard and Katie Colombus, to stark realities of sustaining hope in challenging circumstances by Oge Nwosu. Each one has a unique perspective. Age Rating: All ages, but mostly adults. Content Advisory: to see content advisories for Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival 2023 shows, click here. Laura is generously supported by PRS Foundation Composers’ fund.

Produced by Laura Reid

Venue: The Cockpit, Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH.

https://www.tete-a-tete.org.uk/event/songs-of-hope/