British Youth Opera presents Benjamin Britten's first opera, a collaboration with WH Auden. It was written with Broadway in mind (and premiered a stone's-throw away); its easy-going musical style is full of the influence of jazz, swing and country music.
With a cast of 44 singers, it tells of the founding of America by a motley band of pioneers, led by the folklore hero 'as tall as the Empire State'. With Louise Kemeny (Tiny), Emily Vine (Fido), Grace Durham (Moppet), Ayako Tanimoto (Poppet), Peter Kirk (Hot Biscuit Slim), Samuel Smith (Johnny Inkslinger), Christopher Jacklin (narrator) and Timothy Connor (Hel Helson). The conductor is Peter Robinson; directed by William Kerley; Mandy Demetriou, movement director.
(Note: at 6.15pm on Sept 10 and 13, a free pre-show talk. Running time: 2hrs 30 mins. In association with Southbank Sinfonia and part of Britten100.)